The tiger is the largest cat in the world, and it’s also one of the most powerful hunters in the jungle. Not only that, but the tiger is also one of the most impressive creatures on Earth, which has been documented by scientists for centuries. And now it’s time to find out 10 Amazing and Terrific Facts about Tigers. So without further ado, let’s get started! Here are 10 amazing and awesome facts about Tigers! #1 Tiger teeth can crush bone as easily as we crush peanuts!
What is a Tiger?
Tigers are fierce creatures, tigers. They are also very beautiful in their way, but don’t let their beauty fool you; they are fierce hunters. You wouldn’t want to get close to one of these creatures if it is not on a leash! The tiger facts we will be covering today may shock you! Tigers live up to 16 years in captivity, but only 10 years out in nature (on average). Some tigers even live as long as 25 years in captivity! That is pretty good for an animal that can kill you instantly with one swipe of its paw!
How many kinds of Tigers are there?
There are six living subspecies of tiger: Siberian, Bengal, South China, Indochinese, Sumatran, and Malayan. Of these subspecies, there are nine recognized living species: Bengals (Panthera tigris Tigris), Indo-Chinese Tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti), South China Tigers (Panthera tigris amoyensis), Western Sumatran Tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Eastern Sumatran Tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Malayan Tigers (Pantheras tiger)
Where do tigers live?
Tigers once roamed much of Asia, from Turkey to Korea. Today, they live mainly in Southeast Asia: India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, and Indochina. Tigers are solitary animals that typically range from between 25 to 100 square miles (65-260 sq km) per animal. They have large territories due to their need for a constant supply of prey—about 50 pounds (22 kg) of meat per day! Tigers are also known as an endangered species; only 5% of their original habitat is available today. The vast majority of tigers are confined to just 7 percent of their historic range in 13 percent of the land area they used to occupy. There is an estimated total wild population size of between 3,500-and 4,000 animals across all subspecies.
What do they eat?
Tigers eat lots of different animals, but they’re primarily carnivores. The animal they consume most often is deer—deer make up 70% of their diet. Tigers also eat wild pigs, buffalo, small mammals, birds, and fish when they’re available. For prey to be big enough for a tiger to feel like it can hunt it effectively, it needs to weigh around 286 pounds or more.
What predators hunt them?
Tigers are at the top of their food chain, but they're still not immune to being hunted. The following animals hunt tigers: lions, leopards, jaguars, crocodiles, and large fish such as barracudas. Tigers' stripes are camouflage that helps them blend into their environment. This natural form of disguise makes them harder for predators to spot in their dense forest habitats. So how do tiger predators catch a glimpse of their prey? Scientists believe when tigers are walking around on open ground they leave scent markings called spraint (similar to urine or feces) that help other animals track them down.
How long do they live?
Tigers are solitary hunters. They are also very territorial, so they fight when two tigers come in contact with each other. Tiger cubs are born blind and helpless. The mother tiger cares for her young until they’re ready to be on their own, usually at two years old or so. Tigers can live 10-15 years in captivity but typically live 4-8 years in the wild due to human interference, such as poaching and loss of habitat. When they grow up, tigers will continue to grow another 7 inches a year for the rest of their lives.
How big are Tigers in real life?
Tigers are some of the largest predators in Africa. Their striped coat is unique among all cats, which makes them more visible to prey animals. Tigers may be able to hear insects burrowing underground from 100 feet away because their tiger-like ears help amplify quiet sounds. Tigers spend a lot of time sitting and lying in wait for prey that passes by, so tiger-like muscles make it easier for tigers to stay still for long periods. Tiger stripes also act as camouflage when tigers stalk prey at night or in dense forests. Each stripe on a tiger’s coat is unique; just like human fingerprints, no two tigers have exactly matching stripes! This type of camouflage helps them hide during hunting at night or while they are stalking prey.
What color is their fur?
Tigers are born with white fur, but it turns orange and black as they mature. This color change can take up to five years to complete; baby tigers are called cubs. The world's largest tiger is the Siberian or Amur, which weighs 300 pounds [180 kg]. Tigers have round pupils instead of vertical slits like many other cats. They only live in Asia—principally Russia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and China—but not in any specific region within those countries. Rather, they’re found in both thick jungles and open savannahs.
What are the stripes for?
Tiger stripes are not just for show: It helps these giant animals to hide from predators. Tigers can’t see their stripes, so they blend into tall grasses or shadowed areas. With camouflage like that, it’s no wonder tigers are one of Earth’s top predators! Tigers do have some other cool adaptations to make hunting easier. Their eyesight is quite good—for a predator—and they also have a great hearing to detect rustling in nearby bushes and long whiskers that help them sense air currents moving around nearby prey. A tiger's sense of smell is also amazing—almost as keen as a dog's.
How fast can tigers run?
Tigers can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour). That’s fast enough to cover 100 yards (91 meters) in as little as three seconds. Tigers are some of the most powerful cats on Earth, but their extra-large muscles help them outrun even speedy dogs. Their body structure gives them an added edge: with such strong leg muscles, it’s easier for tigers to move quickly than other large animals. Bigger muscles also mean more endurance; tigers have an advantage when it comes to both sprinting and running long distances. Despite all their efforts, however, tigers tend to run away without thinking of a clear escape route — they do not want to waste energy without a solid strategy.
