Tigers Don't Purr: 26 Fascinating Facts About the Largest Members of the Cat Family
Tigers can arguably be considered the most recognizable large predators of the cat family. The black-orange striped fur of these creatures has become their distinctive trademark. The reputation of tigers as ruthless predators, much like their vivid striped coat, serves as a warning against encountering these animals in their territory.
Interesting Facts About Tigers
● There are fewer than 7,000 tigers left in the wild. Currently, all tiger species are listed in the Red Book, and hunting them is prohibited in all countries. The Amur tiger is in the most critical situation.
● Tigers have round pupils, unlike domestic cats which have vertical ones. This is because tigers lead a crepuscular, not nocturnal, lifestyle.
● In darkness, tigers see about six times better than humans.
● Mainland tigers are larger and more massive than their island-dwelling relatives.
● Tigers can interbreed with lions.
● Tigers need about twice as much food as lions to sustain themselves. An adult tiger consumes up to three tons of meat per year.
● The hunting grounds of male tigers are 4-5 times larger than those of females.
● All white tigers have blue eyes.
● The tiger is the largest of all big cats.
● Tigers communicate over long distances using roars. Angry tigers never purr; they growl instead.
● The striped pattern on a tiger is not only on its fur but also on its skin.
● Tigers have unique vocalizations, and they can recognize each other by their roars.
● Tigers are excellent swimmers. They can cross even very wide rivers with strong currents.
● The Amur tiger, the largest of all, can reach up to three meters in length, not counting its tail.
● In Indian reserves, workers wear masks on the back of their heads resembling human faces. It is believed to deter tiger attacks, as they typically ambush from behind. Once spotted, a tiger will likely seek another victim.
● Unlike jaguars, for instance, tigers often attack humans.
● Tigers can communicate with each other through roaring over distances of up to five kilometers.
● The most notorious man-eating tiger killed about 430 people before finally being tracked down by an experienced hunter who came to India from England specifically to capture the predator, which took several years to achieve.
● Tigers cannot purr.
● At short distances, a tiger can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h.
● A tiger's leap can cover up to six meters in length and five meters in height.
● On average, only one out of ten attempts to catch prey is successful for a tiger.
● Tigers can mimic the sounds of some other animals to lure them closer and ambush them.
● Tigers also hunt bears and crocodiles.
● Tiger saliva has antiseptic properties.
● Three out of nine tiger subspecies have become extinct in the last hundred years.
