Tiger

Tiger

( Panthera tigris )

Tigers are well known for their immense strength and power. They are known to bring down animals weighing almost ten times their own weight and then dragging them away to shelter. A tiger itself weighs between 130 - 180kgs.

A majority of this consists of muscle mass as the skeleton itself is relatively small and fragile. Tigers grow to an average height of 90cms. Their main prey species are herbivores, the favourites being Sambhar and Spotted deer.

They eat an average of 5 kgs in a sitting and can eat up to 25 kgs in a day. A kill can feed a tiger for 2 - 4 days. Tigers mostly do not try and make another kill immediately after finishing with the previous one. They usually give a 2-3 break before setting out on

the next hunt. They have a life expectancy ranging from 15 - 20 years. Their breeding season begins towards the end of the monsoons and carries into the early months of winter. The mates stay together for a period of approximately 10 days. The gestation period is a short one of 105 days. Tigresses give birth to 3 - 6 cubs.

The mortality rate of infants is quite high and usually only a couple of cubs live long enough to explore the territory of even their mother.