Rándýr

Rándýr is an Icelandic term that translates to "predator" or "carnivore." It is a broad category encompassing a wide range of animals that obtain energy by consuming other animals. This can include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. The specific types of rándýr found in Iceland are limited by the island's geography and climate.

In Iceland, the most prominent terrestrial rándýr include the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), which is the only native land mammal. Its diet consists primarily of small mammals like lemmings and voles, as well as birds and their eggs. Marine mammals such as seals are also prey for larger predators, though direct predation by terrestrial animals on seals is rare.

The avian rándýr of Iceland are more diverse. Many seabirds, like skuas and gulls, prey on smaller birds, fish, and eggs. Birds of prey such as the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and the short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) are significant predators, hunting rodents, smaller birds, and insects.

In Iceland's freshwater and marine environments, various fish species act as rándýr, preying on smaller fish, invertebrates, and zooplankton. Seals, particularly the grey seal and harbor seal, are important marine rándýr, feeding on fish. Orcas and sharks are also present in Icelandic waters and are apex predators within their respective ecosystems. The concept of rándýr highlights the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem through the food web.