Tiger – the largest cat

**Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest representative of the cat family and one of the largest land predators.**

The tiger is the third largest land predator (after the polar bear and brown bear). Tiger usually lives in areas covered with dense forest. Therefore Siberian tigers live in the taiga and other tigers live in tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia.

There are several species of tigers. The largest animals live in eastern Siberia, and the smallest tigers are on the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bali.

Tiger’s victims are very different animals. These predators prey mainly on deer, wild boar, but their favorite delicacy are wild pigs. In the eastern Siberian, tigers attacking even the bears, but it does not always end happily for the striker.

Lonely hunter

Tiger is a lonely hunter, in contrast to lions, it rarely hunts in herds. When noticing the victim, it creeps close to the ground, slowly and silently. When the victim is at a distance of about 20 m (66ft), the tiger pounces on it suddenly in a few jumps, grabs the neck and trying to overturn the victim using the weight of its body.

Unfortunately, tigers are threatened with extinction. These beautiful animals were once in the whole of Asia, which is their natural habitat, but deforestation and illegal hunting meant that the population has declined drastically. In some Asian countries are formed, it is true, special reserves to protect the tiger, but it does not seem that these steps could have prevented the destruction of the world’s largest cats on Earth.

Did you know that …

The largest Siberian tiger weighed 384 kg (847 lb).
Tiger has well-developed senses, especially sight. Tiger sees in the dark five times better than the human.
Despite the high skill, Tiger spends a lot of time hunting. This is because only one in ten attacks is successful.
The characteristic color of a tiger allows it to adapt to the environment. It can sneak up unnoticed to a chosen victim.
Tiger can jump to a height of 5 meters (16 ft). This ability is used when the victim is on the tree.
Tiger in a single meal can eat up to 50 kg (110 lb) of meat.
Tiger can jump over a distance of 10 m (33ft).
During harsh winters Siberian tiger fur fades. This allows the animal easily blends into the surroundings.
Tiger can run at a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).

Tiger size:

Length: up to 3.3 m (10ft 10in)
Height at the withers: up to 1.2 m (3ft 11in)
Body weight: up to 384 kg (847 lb) in wild and to 465 kg (1025 lb) in captivity – Jaipur tiger
Lifespan: 10-15 years in wild, in captivity 16-20 years