BENGAL TIGER Physiology

BENGAL TIGER Physiology

BENGAL TIGER – PHYSIOLOGY

Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) possess powerful anatomical and biological traits that make them apex predators and highly adaptable mammals. Below is a detailed breakdown of their internal and external physiology.

1. Size & Build

Body Dimensions

Male weight: 180–260 kg
Female weight: 100–160 kg
Length (nose to tail): 2.7–3.1 m for males; 2.4–2.6 m for females
Shoulder height: ~90–110 cm

Body Shape

Strong shoulders and muscular forelimbs for tackling prey
Flexible spine enabling sudden leaps and rapid twisting
Long tail for balance during fast turns

2. Muscular & Skeletal System

Muscular Structure

Dense forelimb muscles for overpowering prey
Powerful jaw muscles generating strong bite force
Hind legs built for explosive acceleration and leaps of up to 10 meters

Skeleton

Lightweight but robust bones
Rotating forelimbs allowing tigers to "grab" prey
Flexible vertebral column for stealth movement

3. Skin, Fur & Coloration

Fur is orange-brown with black stripes, unique to each tiger
Belly, inner limbs, and throat are white
Stripes act as camouflage in grasslands and forests
Dense winter fur in colder regions (north India, Nepal)

Skin

Elastic and tough, helping resist injury during hunts
Pigments in the skin create stripe patterns—not only in fur

4. Claws & Paws

Retractable claws up to 7–10 cm long
Thick paw pads that muffle sound
Large paws (up to 14 cm wide) help distribute weight and allow silent stalking

5. Teeth & Bite Force

Total teeth: 30
Canines: up to 7.5 cm long
Carnassials act like shears for slicing meat
Bite force: approx. 1,000 psi, strong enough to crush bone

6. Senses

Vision

Excellent night vision, 6× better than humans
Reflective tapetum lucidum layer in eyes increases low-light sensitivity
Good motion detection

Hearing

Highly acute; can hear frequencies several octaves above human range
Rotate ears independently to locate prey

Smell

Moderate compared to dogs, but effective for territory marking
Use Flehmen response (curling lips) to analyze scents

7. Cardiovascular & Respiratory System

Heart

Large, powerful heart supports bursts of speed and strength
Strong cardiac output for long-distance roaming

Lungs

High lung capacity helps maintain stamina during fights or hunts
Efficient oxygen exchange supporting short sprints (40–60 km/h)

8. Digestive System

Designed for strict carnivory
Short intestines optimized for digesting meat
Strong stomach acids capable of dissolving bone fragments
Can consume 25–40 kg of meat at once and store fat reserves

9. Nervous & Endocrine System

Highly developed brain regions for:
- Spatial awareness
- Coordination
- Hunting strategy
Strong adrenaline response allows explosive bursts of power
Scent-marking hormones regulate territorial behavior

10. Reproductive Physiology

Females sexually mature at 3–4 years; males at 4–5
Estrus cycle lasts ~3–9 days
Gestation period: ~105–112 days
Litters of 2–4 cubs
Cubs born blind; eyes open after 6–14 days

11. Thermoregulation

No sweat glands except in paw pads
Regulate body temperature through:
- Panting
- Seeking shade
- Resting near water
Often cool off by swimming—Bengal tigers are strong swimmers

12. Adaptations for Strength & Stealth

Striped coat for camouflage
Soft-padded paws for silent stalking
Low-frequency growls and roars that travel long distances
Exceptional agility despite large size

OTHER SOURCES

Historically, it was regarded as the second largest subspecies, following the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica); however, a recent study indicates that it may actually be the largest. The total length of male Bengal tigers ranges from 270 to 310 cm, while females measure between 240 and 265 cm; the tail length is 85 to 110 cm, and the shoulder height is 90 to 110 cm.

The average weight for males is 221.2 kg (487.7 lb), and for females, it is 139.7 kg (308 lb); however, those residing in northern India and Nepal average 235 kg (518 lb) for males and 140 kg (308.6 lb) for females.

The officially recorded heaviest Bengal tiger, with a confirmed weight, was a male weighing 258.6 kg (570 lbs), shot in Northern India in 1938; however, the heaviest male captured by a scientist to date is a male weighing 270 kg (595 lb), tagged in Nepal in 1984.

The largest Bengal tiger, measured between pegs, was a male hunted by Archibald Dunbar Brander, which had a head and body length of 221 cm, a chest girth of 150 cm, a shoulder height of 109 cm, and a tail measuring just 81 cm, possibly severed by a rival male. This specimen could not be weighed, but it was estimated to weigh no less than 270 kg.

Finally, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the heaviest known Bengal tiger was a massive male hunted in 1967, measuring 322 cm in total length between pegs (338 cm over curves) and weighing 388.7 kg (857 lb). This specimen was hunted in northern India by David Hasinger and is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution, in the Mammals Hall.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were reports of large male Bengal tigers measuring approximately 360 cm in total length; however, there was no scientific validation in the field, and it is likely that these measurements were taken over the curves of the body.

They possess the ability to endure cold climates, as their skin is resilient to various temperature conditions. Their fur varies in color from yellow to light orange, while their stripes can be found in shades ranging from dark brown to black; the underbelly is white, and the tail features white with black rings. A mutation of the Bengal subspecies — the white tigers — exhibit dark brown or reddish-brown stripes against a white background, with some individuals being entirely white.

Black tigers display tawny, yellow, or white stripes on a black background. A black tiger skin, which was seized from smugglers, measured 259 cm and is currently exhibited at the National Museum of Natural History in New Delhi. Reports of black tigers lacking stripes have surfaced, but these claims remain unverified.

The roar of a Bengal tiger can be heard from a distance of up to three miles.

bengal-tiger-food-hunting

VIDEO:

BENGAL TIGER FOOD & HUNTING

BENGAL TIGER – FOOD & HUNTING BEHAVIOR

What Bengal Tigers Eat

Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely entirely on meat. Their diet varies depending on habitat—mangrove swamps, grasslands, or forests—but includes:

Primary Prey

Deer species
- Chital (spotted deer)
- Sambar deer
- Barasingha (swamp deer)
Wild boar
Gaur (Indian bison)
Water buffalo
Nilgai (blue bull)
Antelope

Occasional/Difficult Prey

Young elephants (rare)
Young rhinos (very rare)
Fish, rodents, birds, when larger prey is scarce
Livestock (cattle, goats) when natural prey declines—often causing human–tiger conflict

Daily Intake

A Bengal tiger can consume 25–40 kg of meat in one sitting.
Average daily requirement: 6–7 kg, but tigers often gorge and then may not hunt again for several days.

Hunting Behavior

Hunting Style

Bengal tigers are solitary ambush predators. They rely on:

Stealth (crawling silently through brush)
Camouflage (orange coat blends with tall grasses)
Powerful hind limbs for sudden bursts of speed
Strong jaws and canines to deliver fatal bites

Stalking Strategy

Identify prey using sight, hearing, and smell
Approach silently from downwind (10–20 meters away)
Explosive charge toward prey
Attack, usually targeting:
- Neck bite to sever spinal cord
- Throat bite to suffocate larger animals

Hunting Success Rate

Typically 10–15%, meaning most attempts fail
Dense vegetation like in India and Bangladesh improves success

When They Hunt

Mostly at night (nocturnal)
Cooler temperatures give them an advantage
They may also hunt at dawn or dusk (crepuscular)

Territory & Behavior

Bengal tigers maintain large territories:
- Males: 60–100+ sq km
- Females: 20–40 sq km
They mark territory with:
- Scent markings
- Scratches on trees
- Roaring

They avoid fighting unless territories overlap.

Role in the Ecosystem

Bengal tigers are apex predators, helping regulate prey populations and keep ecosystems balanced. Without them, herbivore overpopulation can lead to habitat degradation.

OTHER SOURCES

Bengal tigers are primarily nocturnal, engaging in hunting activities during the night. Despite their strength and speed over short distances, they rely on stalking their prey, as they are unable to outrun faster animals. The Bengal tiger dispatches smaller prey with a bite to the back of the neck, while larger prey is killed with a bite to the throat.

Bengal tigers predominantly hunt gaur (wild ox) and buffalo. While a tiger possesses the capability to kill a bull gaur that is more than twice its own size, it tends to target younger or older animals that offer less resistance.

In the Sundarbans region, which spans India and Bangladesh, the tiger's prey includes chital (axis deer), wild boar, and monkeys. Occasionally, Bengal tigers may also attack porcupines.

Tigers have been popularized in traditional and modern media. Think of Rajah from Aladdin or Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh. In contemporary pop culture, the most relevant reference to the popularity of tigers would have to be the Tiger King.

Tigers made that TV series popular. Seeing these exquisite, gracious creatures stirred emotion in the viewers. They were there for the tigers, just like you’re here now. You wanted to learn more about the lives of these creatures.

Bengal tigers are often larger than the other tiger species and have been endangered in India.

That is when a species of animal has had a massive disruption in its population, and they are at risk of dying out. For Bengal tigers, the cause of their endangered status is poaching, hunting, and deforestation as the human population grows.

Indeed, our growth can sometimes mean the destruction of other astonishing creatures. That’s why we must learn about these animals to better arm ourselves against our mistakes.

bengal-tiger-breeding

VIDEO:

BENGAL TIGER BREEDING

The Breeding Cycle of the Bengal Tiger: A Fight for the Future

The breeding of Bengal tigers is not a frequent or casual affair. It is a carefully timed event dictated by biology, driven by instinct, and fraught with peril. For a species that is solitary for most of its life, the coming together of a male and female is a pivotal moment, and the raising of cubs is one of nature's most demanding parental challenges.

1. The Courtship: Finding a Mate in a Lonely Kingdom

Since tigers are solitary, finding a mate is the first great challenge. This is achieved through a sophisticated system of communication and territorial awareness.

Scent Marking and The Call of the Wild: A female tiger comes into estrus (the period of sexual receptivity) only for a few days every 2-3 years. When she is ready, she will increase her scent marking dramatically. Her urine contains specific chemical signals (pheromones) that advertise her reproductive status to any males whose territories overlap with hers. She may also vocalize more frequently, using a series of roars that can carry for miles to attract a potential partner.

The Male's Pursuit: A male tiger's territory is vast, often encompassing the smaller territories of several females. He will patrol his domain, constantly "reading" the scent marks left by other tigers. When he detects the scent of a receptive female, he will begin a focused search for her.

The Courtship Ritual: Once the male finds the female, the courtship begins. This is not an instant pairing. The male must be cautious, as the female can be aggressive initially. The courtship involves a series of behaviors:

Vocalizations: They will use a range of sounds, from friendly "chuffs" (a breathy, non-threatening greeting) to soft moans and roars.

Physical Affiliation: They will rub their heads and bodies together, circle each other, and may even engage in playful mock-fighting.

Patience and Persistence: The male often has to stay with the female for several days, following her persistently until she is fully ready to accept him.

2. Mating and Gestation: A Brief but Critical Union

Once the female accepts the male, they will mate frequently over a period of several days.

Copulation: The act of mating is often brief but can be repeated many times a day. It can be surprisingly aggressive, with the male biting the female's neck to hold her in place. This intense period ensures the highest chance of successful fertilization.

Parting Ways: After the estrus period ends, the male's role is complete. He will leave the female and play no part in raising the cubs. He may continue to patrol the area, but his sole contribution is genetic.

Gestation: The tigress is now pregnant. The gestation period for a Bengal tiger is approximately 100 to 110 days, or about 3.5 months. During this time, she will seek out a safe, secluded, and inaccessible den site. This could be a cave, a dense thicket, a hollow log, or a space beneath large rock.

3. Birth and Maternal Care: A Fierce and Devoted Mother

This is the most vulnerable and critical stage in the breeding cycle.

The Litter: The tigress gives birth to a litter of typically 2 to 4 cubs, though litters of up to 6 have been recorded. The cubs are born blind, helpless, and weighing only about 2-3 pounds (1-1.5 kg). They have a thick, woolly coat that is covered in faint spots and stripes, which provides extra camouflage.

The First Few Weeks: For the first 6-8 weeks of their lives, the cubs are entirely dependent on their mother. She will keep them hidden in the den, leaving only to hunt. She returns frequently to nurse them, keeping the den meticulously clean to avoid attracting predators. During this time, she is exceptionally vulnerable and defensive.

Learning to Survive: This is the most important job of a mother tiger. When the cubs are a few months old, she begins to teach them:

Introducing Meat: She starts by bringing back small, wounded prey for the cubs to practice on, building their skills and confidence.

The Hunt: For the next two years, she will take them on hunts, demonstrating the art of the stalk, the ambush, and the kill. They learn by watching her and through trial and error.

Territorial Skills: She teaches them how to mark their own territory and communicate with other tigers.

4. Independence and Dispersal: A Dangerous New World

The bond between the tigress and her cubs is strong, but it is not permanent.

Coming of Age: The cubs will stay with their mother for 2 to 3 years. By this time, they are nearly full-sized and skilled hunters.

Leaving the Nest: The tigress will then drive them off, forcing them to disperse and find their own territories. This is a crucial but incredibly dangerous time for young tigers. They must compete with established adults for territory and mates, and many do not survive this transition.

The Cycle Begins Again: Once her cubs are gone, the tigress is free to mate again, and the incredible cycle of breeding and raising the next generation begins anew.

Challenges to Breeding in the Wild

The natural breeding process is fraught with challenges, which are amplified by human pressures:

High Cub Mortality: It is estimated that up to 50% of tiger cubs die before they reach the age of two. Causes include starvation, predation by other tigers or leopards, and accidents.

Infanticide: A new male taking over a territory will often kill the cubs sired by the previous male. This brutal act brings the female back into estrus more quickly, allowing him to pass on his own genes.

Habitat Fragmentation: As forests are broken up by roads and human settlements, it becomes much harder for tigers to find each other, leading to smaller, more isolated populations with reduced genetic diversity.

The breeding of the Bengal tiger is therefore a testament to the resilience of nature, but it is also a fragile process. Its success is inextricably linked to the availability of large, connected territories and the protection of these magnificent animals from human threats.

BENGAL TIGER BREEDING VIDEO :

BENGAL TIGER HABITAT

Bengal Tiger Habitat

The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) lives in a wide variety of habitats across South Asia, adapting to different environments better than almost any other big cat. Its habitat stretches across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, where it roams through forests, mangroves, and grasslands in search of food and shelter.

🏞️ Types of Habitats

Tropical Rainforests

Found in the Western Ghats, Assam, and northeastern India.

These areas are dense, humid, and rich in vegetation, providing perfect cover for hunting.

Tigers here rely on deer and wild boar that thrive in these lush forests.

Mangrove Forests (Sundarbans)

The Sundarbans, shared by India and Bangladesh, is the world’s largest mangrove forest.

It is famous for being home to the only tigers adapted to living in mangrove swamps.

These tigers are strong swimmers and hunt both on land and in water, often preying on fish, crabs, and small mammals.

Grasslands and Savannahs

In central and northern India, Bengal tigers inhabit grasslands and dry forests such as those in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Ranthambore National Parks.

These open areas allow easier movement and visibility, helping tigers hunt larger prey like deer and buffalo.

Temperate and Subtropical Forests

Found in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal and Bhutan.

The cool climate and thick vegetation make these regions ideal for tigers that prefer solitude and dense cover.

🌳 Key Habitat Features

Water Availability: Tigers need regular access to water for drinking, cooling off, and swimming.

Dense Vegetation: Provides camouflage for stalking prey and protection for cubs.

Abundant Prey: Deer, wild pigs, and other herbivores are essential for survival.

Large Territory: Each tiger requires 20–100 square kilometers of territory, depending on prey density.

⚠️ Threats to Habitat

Deforestation: Expanding agriculture, logging, and urbanization reduce forest cover.

Poaching and Illegal Trade: Tigers are hunted for their skin and body parts.

Human–Wildlife Conflict: As humans encroach on tiger territory, conflicts increase.

Climate Change: Rising sea levels and salinity are shrinking the Sundarbans mangroves.

🌿 Conservation Efforts

Project Tiger (India): Protects core tiger habitats through national reserves.

Sundarbans Tiger Reserve: Safeguards mangrove forests and their wildlife.

Global Tiger Recovery Program: Aims to double the wild tiger population worldwide.

In summary, the Bengal Tiger’s habitat ranges from hot, humid jungles to cool mountain forests and even coastal mangroves. These diverse environments highlight the tiger’s remarkable adaptability — but also its vulnerability as human activity continues to threaten its natural home.

BENGAL TIGER HABITAT VIDEO :

What Do Bengal Tigers Eat?

What Do Bengal Tigers Eat?

The Diet of the Bengal Tiger: A Master Hunter's Menu

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is an obligate carnivore and apex predator, meaning it sits at the very top of its food chain and must eat meat to survive. Its diet is a testament to its incredible power and intelligence, primarily consisting of large ungulates (hoofed mammals), but it is highly adaptable and will eat a wide variety of prey depending on what is available.

1. The Primary Prey: The Foundation of the Diet

The core of a Bengal tiger's diet is made up of large to medium-sized deer and wild cattle, which provide the substantial amount of meat and fat needed to sustain its massive body.

Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor): This is often considered the single most important prey species for tigers across many of their habitats. Sambar are large, heavy deer, and a single adult can provide a tiger with several days of food. Their preference for dense forest makes them a perfect target for a tiger's ambush hunting style.

Chital (Spotted) Deer (Axis axis): The most numerous deer species in many Indian forests, chital are a staple food source. They are smaller than sambar but live in large herds in more open grasslands and forest edges. While a tiger will typically target a younger or weaker animal, a successful chital hunt is a common event.

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa): A formidable and dangerous prey item, wild boar are aggressive and have sharp tusks. However, they are also nutritious and widely distributed. Tigers, particularly experienced adults, are skilled at hunting them, often using their immense weight and power to pin the boar before delivering a fatal bite to the neck.

Gaur (Indian Bison) (Bos gaurus): This is the ultimate challenge. The gaur is a massive, powerful species of wild cattle, with bulls weighing over a ton. A healthy adult gaur is a dangerous opponent, and only the largest, most experienced tigers will attempt to hunt one. More often, tigers will target a calf or a sick or injured adult. A successful gaur hunt means a huge amount of food and can last a tiger for well over a week.

Barasingha (Swamp Deer) (Rucervus duvaucelii): Found in specific habitats like the Kanha and Dudhwa National Parks, these large deer are another important prey item where their ranges overlap with tigers.

2. The Opportunistic Menu: Adapting to Availability

A tiger is not a picky eater. When its preferred large prey is scarce, it will readily switch to smaller animals, demonstrating its remarkable adaptability.

Smaller Deer Species: This includes barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and hog deer (Axis porcinus). These are too small to sustain a tiger for long but can serve as a snack between larger kills.

Primates: Tigers are known to prey on various species of monkeys, such as langurs and macaques. They often hunt them when the primates are on the ground.

Porcupines: While a tricky and dangerous meal due to their sharp quills, tigers will hunt them. They have learned techniques to flip the porcupine over to attack its unprotected belly.

Birds and Reptiles: Large ground birds like peafowl and junglefowl are on the menu, as are large reptiles like monitor lizards.

3. The Specialized Diet: Adaptation to Unique Environments

The Bengal tiger's ability to adapt is perhaps best showcased in the Sundarbans, the vast mangrove forest spanning India and Bangladesh. Here, the traditional prey base is less abundant, and the tigers have adapted their diet to the aquatic environment.

Fish and Crabs: Sundarbans tigers are proficient swimmers and have been observed hunting for fish and crabs in the tidal channels. This is a unique behavior among tiger subspecies and a remarkable example of dietary adaptation.

Water Monitor Lizards: These large lizards are a common prey item in the mangroves, providing a good source of protein.

4. The Unwanted Meal: Livestock and Human-Wildlife Conflict

As tiger habitats shrink and prey populations decline, tigers are increasingly forced into closer contact with human settlements, leading to conflict.

Livestock: Tigers are powerful enough to easily kill domestic animals like cows, goats, and water buffalo. While a water buffalo is a formidable opponent, a tiger can and will take one, leading to significant economic loss for local communities and fueling retaliatory killings.

The Tragic Case of "Man-Eaters": It is crucial to understand that tigers do not naturally consider humans prey. A tiger becomes a "man-eater" almost always out of desperation. Common causes include:

Injury: A tiger with a broken canine, a gunshot wound, or a thorn in its paw may no longer be able to hunt its swift, natural prey and will turn to the slower, easier target of humans.

Old Age: An old tiger whose teeth are worn down and reflexes have slowed may no longer be able to hunt effectively.

Habitat Loss and Prey Depletion: When a tiger's territory is destroyed and its natural prey vanishes, it may be forced to hunt whatever is available to survive.

Hunting and Feeding Behavior

The Ambush: Tigers are masters of stealth. They use their striped camouflage to blend into the dappled light of the forest, stalking their prey silently before launching a short, explosive burst of speed.

The Kill: They typically kill large prey with a fatal bite to the throat, which suffocates the animal, or with a powerful bite to the nape of the neck, which severs the spinal cord.

Consumption: A large tiger can eat up to 70 pounds (32 kg) of meat in one sitting. After a kill, it will drag the carcass to a secluded spot, often under dense cover, and may cover it with leaves and grass to hide it from scavengers like leopards and jackals. It will then return to feed on the carcass for several days. Its rough, barbed tongue is the perfect tool for scraping every last piece of meat from the bones.

What Do Bengal Tigers Eat? VIDEO :

BENGAL TIGER KEY FACTS

Here are some key facts about the Bengal Tiger — one of the most iconic and powerful animals on Earth:

🐅 General Information

Scientific name: Panthera tigris tigris

Common name: Bengal Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger

Family: Felidae (cat family)

Subspecies: One of the six remaining subspecies of tiger

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)

🌍 Habitat and Distribution

Native to: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar

Main habitats: Tropical rainforests, mangrove forests, grasslands, and dry forests

Famous region: The Sundarbans mangrove forest (shared by India and Bangladesh)

⚖️ Physical Characteristics

Size: Males are among the largest tigers in the world

Male weight: 200–260 kg (440–570 lbs)

Female weight: 120–160 kg (260–350 lbs)

Length: Up to 3 meters (10 feet) including the tail

Coat color: Rich orange with black or dark brown stripes; white underbelly

Unique trait: Each tiger’s stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint

Vision: Excellent night vision — about six times better than humans

🍖 Diet and Hunting

Diet: Carnivorous

Main prey: Deer (chital, sambar), wild boar, buffalo, and sometimes smaller animals

Hunting style: Solitary ambush predator — uses stealth and strength to attack prey

Feeding: Can eat up to 40 kg (88 lbs) of meat in one meal

🧬 Behavior and Lifestyle

Territorial: Each tiger has its own territory and marks it with scent and scratches

Solitary: Prefers to live and hunt alone, except during mating or raising cubs

Activity: Mostly nocturnal — active at night and rests during the day

Communication: Roars, growls, scent marking, and scratch marks on trees

🐯 Reproduction

Gestation period: About 3.5 months (104–106 days)

Litter size: 2 to 4 cubs on average

Cubs stay with mother: For about 2 years before becoming independent

🌿 Conservation and Threats

Main threats: Poaching, habitat loss, human–tiger conflict, and illegal wildlife trade

Conservation programs: Project Tiger (India), Global Tiger Initiative, and protected reserves

Estimated wild population: Around 2,500 Bengal tigers (as of recent estimates)

Population in Sundarbans: About 125 in Bangladesh and 100+ in India

🏞️ Interesting Facts

The Bengal Tiger is India’s national animal.

It is an excellent swimmer and often cools off in ponds or rivers.

White tigers are actually Bengal tigers with a rare genetic mutation that affects pigmentation.

Bengal tigers play a vital ecological role by controlling herbivore populations and maintaining forest balance.

Bengal Tiger bengal-tiger-habitat.

BENGAL TIGER KEY FACTS VIDEO :

Bengal Tiger

Tigers are the largest members of the cat family and are renowned for their power and strength. There were eight tiger subspecies at one time, but three became extinct during the 20th century. Over the last 100 years, hunting and forest destruction have reduced tiger populations from hundreds of thousands of animals to perhaps fewer than 2,500. Tigers are hunted as trophies, and also for body parts that are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

All five remaining tiger subspecies are endangered, and many protection programs are in place. Bengal tigers live in India and are sometimes called Indian tigers. They are the most common tiger and number about half of all wild tigers. Over many centuries they have become an important part of Indian tradition and lore. Bengal Tigers live alone and aggressively scent-mark large territories to keep their rivals away. They are powerful nocturnal hunters that travel many miles to find buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Bengal Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes).

They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A hungry Bengal tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds (27 kilograms) in one night, though they usually eat less. Despite their fearsome reputation, most Bengal tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous maneaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in an area where their traditional prey has vanished. Females Bengal tiger give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old and remain with their mothers for two to three years, when they disperse to find their own territory.

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Bengal Tiger Video: