Humans stand out as the most voracious predators on Earth, a fact underscored by recent research. A new study indicates that humans use, consume, or trade about one third of all vertebrate species on the planet. That proportion dwarfs the impact of other apex predators, such as killer whales or cheetahs, by roughly a hundredfold.
The study, published in Nature, measures the direct pressure humans exert on other species. It concludes that humans are by far the largest exploiters of the animal kingdom in terms of resource use. Specifically, 14,663 species out of 46,755 analyzed show signs of exploitation by humans.
When compared to wild predators of similar size and dietary needs, humans harvest or kill nearly 100 times more vertebrates on average. In the ocean, killer whales feed on about 121 species of marine vertebrates. Humans consume 83 of these and also exploit 10,337 species that exist only in marine environments.
On land, the pattern is similar. Jaguars, though powerful, prey on far fewer species than humans do, with humans exploiting more than 2,700 prey species while jaguars typically rely on nine.
This evidence highlights the scale of human influence as a species and the ongoing impact on the planet. A marine biologist notes that humans have developed a broad set of abilities enabling survival in diverse environments and a wider diet than most predators.
We are an unusual species
As a result, humans can feed on a broader range of animal life than many predatory species, and the study emphasizes how unusual human ecological behavior is. Beyond sustenance, humans use animal species for clothing, medicine, and souvenirs during travel, expanding the extent of exploitation beyond food alone.
To reach its conclusions, the researchers analyzed data from an international authority that tracks wildlife species worldwide and assesses their threat levels. This data enabled the identification of 14,663 species exploited by humans and their various uses.
The study identifies three major patterns of use: just over half of exploited species are used for food, a share dominated by mammals and fish. An equal portion, about 55%, are kept as pets. A smaller fraction, around 8% or less, contribute to cosmetic or medicinal products, primarily among birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The authors note that the total percentages exceed 100% because some species fall into multiple categories of exploitation.
13% are vulnerable or endangered
Experts in ecology and environmental science highlight that humanity has surpassed its traditional role as a predator. The fact that modern humans exploit nearly a third of all living vertebrate species and use most for non-food purposes signals a growing disconnection from the natural world.
Further analysis of the data shows that 13% of the species consumed are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, a figure that surpasses initial expectations.
While these results are alarming, the overall impact may be greater once indirect effects are considered. Habitat destruction and the introduction of invasive species amplify the consequences of direct exploitation.
In summary, the study signals a profound and measurable footprint on global biodiversity that calls for urgent reflection on how humans interact with other life forms and ecosystems.
Attribution: Nature study, summarized and interpreted from the published data and accompanying analyses.
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Note: The environmental assessment focuses on direct species exploitation and acknowledges that indirect effects extend the reach of human impact beyond what the data alone capture.