Physical Characteristics of Tiger

Tiger, the national animal of India is a magnificent predatory carnivore. It reign the lush green canopies of our country. Scientifically, known as Panthera Tigris, Tigers belong to the Felidae family and one of the four "big cats" in the Panthera genus.

From time immemorial, these voracious animals are depicted well in the mythological stories, folklore, story books and movies. Even photographs of Tigers are also used in various flags, national emblem, postal stamps etc.

India is dotted with several wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and Tiger reserves which are the wild abode of these ferocious animals. Wildlife lovers from far and wide visit these serene habitats to have a glimpse of these dangerous and extremely powerful animals. The sound of roaring made by Tigers are so horrifying that they can at once make your blood friezed.

The physical characteristic of a Tiger is different from other carnivores animals. Tigers seat at the apex position of food chain and obligate carnivore that feeds on only flesh. Their weight and height varies from 300 kgs (600 pounds) and 4 m(13 ft) in total length respectively. They are famed as the heaviest cats found in jungle. Male Tigers normally weigh between 150 to 310 kgs whereas females weigh between 100 to 160 kg and in height, male tigers are between 2.6 to 3.3 m in length and females are between 2.3 to 2.75 m.

The best recognizable feature of a Tiger is its body color, which varies from typically rusty-reddish to brown rusty to white fur on the upper portions and lighter shades on the underparts. The vertical strips that vary from brown or gray to pure black are available on the body part of Tigers. The form and density of these strips varies from species to species. But mostly Tigers have more than 100 strips on their entire body. These dark colour strips help them to hide themselves among the multicolored shadows and long grass of the environment where they chase their preys.

Another astonishing feature about these strips is that similar to the fingerprints of human beings, the strips of Tigers are unique to each individual and used to identify a particular individual. Tigers are very good in chasing their preys. Thanks to their powerfully built legs and shoulders, they can very easily pull down their prey irrespective of its weight. Tigress of all the subspecies are smaller than their male counter parts. Male Tigers are blessed with wider forepaw pads than female which plays a major role in determining the gender of a Tiger.

Apart from their food habits, Tigers skull are also similar to that of Lions. But the frontal region of Tigers are usually not as depressed or flattened. They have a slightly longer postorbital region than that of Lions. Also Lions has a broader nasal openings. Similar to other big cats, Tigers do have a white spot on the backs of their ears.

Although, these characteristics of Tigers varies from one specie to another.

Physical Characteristics Of Tiger
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