The very word predator sends a chill down our spine. Immediately we picture our own vision of danger. Like their prey, we sense our weakness and

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1 U N T A M E D

2 The very word predator sends a chill down our spine. Immediately we picture our own vision of danger. Like their prey, we sense our weakness and ensure we keep out of their path. However with their proficient use of eyesight, hearing, smell and even infrared perception in some cases, we may be overcome so...

3 J A N U A R Y L E O P A R D (Panthera pardus) 2nd: Bank Holiday (UK) Combining opportunism, stealth and speed, the leopard is a fearsome predator. The distinctive coat of this species provides excellent camouflage and acute senses mean it can often stalk within feet of its prey without being detected. 3rd: Bank Holiday (Scotland)

4 j a n u a r y Photo Andrew Schoeman/NIS/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY nd: Bank Holiday (UK) 3rd: Bank Holiday (Scotland)

5 F E B R U A R Y K O M O D O D R A G O N (Varanus komodoensis) A fearsome predator, the Komodo not only has powerful legs and serrated shark-like teeth to eviscerate its prey, but its saliva contains over 50 strains of bacteria. Any lucky escapees will soon die of blood poisoning only to be followed and devoured later

6 F E B R U A R Y Photo Cyril Ruoso/Minden Pictures/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY

7 M A R C H S U M A T R A N T I G E R (Panthera tigris sumatrae) 17th: Bank Holiday (N. Ireland) The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of the tiger subspecies. Its smaller size means it is able to move through the jungle with greater ease than its larger cousins, and slightly webbed paws allows it to swim more efficiently after its prey

8 m a r c h Photo Edwin Giesbers/naturepl.com S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY th: Bank Holiday (N. Ireland)

9 a p r i l P o l a r B e a r (Ursus maritimus) 14th: Bank Holiday (UK) Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world. As marine mammals, they spend much of their time on Arctic sea ice. Their fur covers their feet for warmth and a thick layer of blubber beneath their fur provides buoyancy and insulation. 17th: Bank Holiday (UK not Scotland)

10 A P R I L Photo Steven Kazlowski/naturepl.com S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY th: Bank Holiday (UK) 17th: Bank Holiday (UK not Scotland)

11 M A Y G R E A T G R E Y O W L (Strix Nebulosa) 1st: Bank Holiday (UK) The great grey owl is one of the largest of its kind in the world. With a wingspan of 60 inches, its size is mostly feathers and fluff and it weighs only about two to three pounds. Silently swooping on its prey, it can consume up to a third of its body weight daily. 29th: Bank Holiday (UK)

12 m a y Photo Chris Jolley/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY st: Bank Holiday (UK) 29th: Bank Holiday (UK)

13 J U N E M o u n t a i n G o r i l l a (Gorilla Beringei) The mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla but has longer hair, jaws and teeth and slightly shorter arms. Dedicated conservation initiatives have ensured that mountain gorilla numbers are now slowly increasing

14 j u n e Photo Andy Rouse/naturepl.com S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY

15 j u l y A f r i c a n E l e p h a n t (Loxodonta Africana) 12th: Bank Holiday (N. Ireland) African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. Both males and females have tusks that they use to dig for food and water and to strip bark from trees. An adult elephant can consume up to 300 pounds of food in a single day

16 j u l y Photo Denis-Huot/naturepl.com S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY th: Bank Holiday (N. Ireland)

17 a u g u s t B R O W N B E A R (Ursus arctos) 7th: Bank Holiday (Scotland) Brown bears are very unpredictable and often exhibit impulsive and petulant behaviour. Opportunistic feeders, their diet is mainly vegetation but they also feed on small rodents and larger prey such as caribou and mountain goats. 28th: Bank Holiday (UK not Scotland)

18 A U G U S T Photo Darrell Gulin/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY th: Bank Holiday (Scotland) 28th: Bank Holiday (UK not Scotland)

19 S E P T E M B E R A F R I C A N L I O N (Panthera leo) Female lions are the primary hunters and often work together to prey upon antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, and other large animals of the open grasslands. Many of these animals are faster than lions, so the teamwork pays off

20 s e p t e m b e r Photo Tim Flach/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY

21 o c t o b e r B A L D E A G L E (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) The main food source of this proficient hunter is fish but they also feed on carrion, waterfowl and small mammals. Soaring in the skies with a wingspan of up to eight feet, this regal bird ranges from Alaska to Northern Mexico, on coasts, rivers and lakes

22 o c t o b e r Photo Evan Spellman/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY

23 n o v e m b e r B L A C K J A G U A R (Panthera onca) 30th: Bank Holiday (Scotland) A mighty hunter, the name jaguar is derived from the Native American word yaguar, which means, he who kills with one leap. Found only in remote regions of South America, black jaguars are not a distinct species, but just a rare natural occurrence

24 n o v e m b e r Photo Mike Hill/Getty Images S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY th: Bank Holiday (Scotland)

25 d e c e m b e r E U R O P E A N G R E Y W O L F (Canis lupus lupus) 25th: Bank Holiday (UK) The European grey wolf is found across Western Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, China, Mongolia and the Himalayan Mountains. They normally prey on medium sized animals such as wild boar, red deer and livestock, although sometimes smaller prey are taken. 26th: Bank Holiday (UK)

26 d e c e m b e r Photo Edwin Giesbers/naturepl.com S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY th: Bank Holiday (UK) 26th: Bank Holiday (UK)

27 Ja n ua ry f e b rua ry m a r c h a p r i l m ay j u n e j u ly au g u s t s e p t e m b e r o c t o b e r n ov e m b e r d e c e m b e r Ja n ua ry f e b rua ry m a r c h a p r i l m ay j u n e j u ly au g u s t s e p t e m b e r o c t o b e r n ov e m b e r d e c e m b e r Ja n ua ry f e b rua ry m a r c h a p r i l m ay j u n e j u ly au g u s t s e p t e m b e r o c t o b e r n ov e m b e r d e c e m b e r