Animals: Learn All About Animals

Swimming With Sharks but Not With Crocodiles: Why So?

Here’s why we swim with sharks but not with crocodiles: Most sharks dislike human flesh, and they have expectations from their prey. They’re pretty predictable, and even if they bite a human, they’ll swim away because that’s not for them. Crocodiles are unpredictable, aggressive, and opportunistic. Once they have you in their grip, there’s almost no letting go. If you want to learn all about why we swim with sharks but not with crocodiles, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Is Swimming With Sharks Dangerous? Swimming with sharks without any protection around you is very dangerous. Even when you are swimming or diving protected by a cage, with a professional guide, and in a flock of well-fed sharks, there is still some danger to it. A shark won’t feel a pleasurable sensation when devouring a human, but before it decides that you are a waste of time, it may have already caused severe damage. There is one species of shark called the tiger shark that has a nondiscriminatory taste and will feast on human flesh. From 2015 to 2019, there has been an average of 80 annual incidents where sharks attacked humans without being provoked. In 2020 the number was 57 reported cases, and 13 of them proved to be fatal. Since the beginning of cage diving with sharks, there hasn’t been a single fatality. The closest any cage diver came to death was a British tourist in South Africa whose cage was fiercely attacked by a great white shark back in 2005. Is Swimming With Crocodiles Dangerous? Getting anywhere near a crocodile is dangerous. This animal can kill on land and in water. To maintain their active hunt, they can crawl out of the water to take humans from the shore. And what is scarier than a crocodile on land? It’s a crocodile in the water. Hundreds to thousands of people get attacked by crocodiles each year. Almost half of the attacks are fatal for humans, depending on which crocodile species attacked them. Statistically speaking, you have a better chance of staying alive at the end of a Russian roulette rather than after being attacked by a crocodile. So whether you are on the edge of the water or inside it, you become fair game for the crocodile. To lower the chances of prey escaping, including you, these animals kill in groups called basks. They can even devour a hippopotamus when acting as a crew. While there is no exact number of croc attacks that happen, the approximate number of crocodile attack-related deaths in humans is around 1.000 per year. Why Are Crocodiles More Dangerous Than Sharks? Crocodiles attack intentionally to murder. They don’t want to scare away intruders or defend themselves. They just want blood. Unlike sharks, whose movement can give you an idea of their intentions, the crocodile is a completely unpredictable being. Most shark species aren’t territorial (only the bull shark and blacktip shark are). Crocodiles are social animals but don’t tolerate when strangers and even other unknown individuals of their kind invade their territory. Sharks are animals that don’t enjoy fighting, even though their physical appearance suggests confrontation. What they enjoy is ambushing sea turtles and seals while hunting. There’s not much fighting involved in this process as well. Crocodiles do enjoy the taste of humans, but not every attack is food-related. Many times when a crocodile kills a person, it will just leave the body lying around. That just shows how much crocs like the act of killing for the fun and amusement of it. It’s a rarity in nature for animals to kill without a strong reason (defense/food). One research shows that sharks occasionally get eaten by these reptiles. It’s only smaller sharks, but still, we see who is higher on the food chain. The Death Roll In the act of killing the crocodile grabs on its victim and rolls it around. The Death Roll is mostly reserved for larger prey. This way, the victim gets disoriented and drowned very fast. Some videos visually describe this action: A Nile crocodile from Burundi named Gustave is probably the most notorious man-eater of his kind. It’s rumored that this large male killed as many as 300 people in his lifetime. The real number is probably closer to 100 individuals, but that’s still a lot. Can You Swim With Crocodiles Anywhere in the World? You can swim with crocodiles in a controlled and uncontrolled environment only in two places in the world. Face-to-face encounters with a saltwater crocodile while being protected by the cage of death is a tourist attraction in Australia that offers 15 minutes of amusement. The cage is made out of Perspex or Polymethyl Methacrylate, an acrylic material. As a tourist, you are put in the 9.2 feet (2.8 m) high tank with 5.7 inches (145 mm) thick walls wearing only your swimsuit and a pair of underwater goggles. Swimming in a crocodile’s natural surroundings can be done in the diving center in Xcalak in Mexico. The diving organization makes it possible to share glazes with a wild crocodile completely unprotected freely. There are no cages, and the only security is the human handlers and the animal’s goodwill. The Difference in Cages for Sharks and Crocodile Diving The cages for crocodile diving in a controlled environment don’t have bars purposely. If there were bars, it would be easier for the animal to grip on them and break them. Some visible teeth scratches on the Perspex walls make hesitant participants not want to go inside the tank. Cages for shark diving are made out of aluminum. Steel is way stronger, but aluminum is easier to transport and carry and doesn’t corrode in the water. While sharks aren’t so interested in the cages and can’t easily break them, a crocodile will have no trouble destroying this type of enclosure. A crocodile has a bite force almost 3 times stronger than the bite force of the great white shark. Environmental Differences Between the Species Sharks …

Tigers vs. Saber-Toothed Tigers: Who Wins in a Fight?

Animals

Saber-Toothed Tiger vs. Tiger: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a saber-toothed tiger and a tiger: Saber-toothed tigers are better at hunting in groups. Saber-toothed tigers easily beat tigers in a group fight. In a one-on-one fight, a saber-toothed tiger would be equal to a modern tiger, and the result would be unpredictable. If you want to learn all about the outcome of a fight between a saber-toothed tiger and a modern-day tiger, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! What Would Be the Outcome of a Fight Between a Saber-Toothed Tiger and a Modern-Day Tiger? The largest living big cat, the tiger, is nearly invincible in all one-on-one conflicts. It does have a worthy rival in another era in its own extinct counterpart, though, the saber-toothed tiger. While these beasts cannot face off in the modern-day and would likely not choose to fight each other on most occasions, it is interesting to wonder which would be stronger. There are reasons that the tigers with more compact teeth are still alive while their relatives faded out. We’ll get into that later. The majestic and intelligent tiger is capable of defeating animals such as: Leopards Jaguars Panthers Grizzly bears Gorillas Wolves Hyenas Lions Although extinct for thousands of years, if scientists develop the capability to regenerate one of their ancestors, the saber-toothed tiger, from its fossils to pit it against the biggest living cat, the competition would be worth seeing. Who Is the Saber-Toothed Tiger? Named after the blade-like sharp canine teeth in their upper jaws, these big cats were members of a cat subfamily, Machairodontinae, which has long since become extinct. By definition, any big cat can be called saber-toothed if it possesses knife-like curvy and sharp canine teeth. Saber means two-edged knife, which signifies the importance of their large canine teeth. What Are the Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Species? A number of genera in this family contained several saber-toothed cat species, but the most important genus was Smilodon. This genus contained three species (S. gracilis, S. fatalis, and S. Populator). All three species are collectively known as “saber-toothed tigers.” They roamed throughout America and Europe until about 10-12000 years ago. S. populator was the most powerful and largest species, weighing up to 882 lbs (400 kg.) The medium-sized S. fatalis had a weight of 353-617 lbs (160-280 kg) with a body length of 67 in (175 cm) with an additional tail of 14 in (35 cm). The fossil records have shown their shoulder height to be almost 39 in (100 cm). What Is the Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Anatomy? They had slightly longer forelimbs but with a slightly elevated shoulder bone. Although similar in size to modern big cats, they were more robust, with strong musculature, short tails, and relatively strong necks but shorter feet. Their chin was reduced, so their large canine teeth were always hanging outside the mouth. Of course, their most prominent feature was those extremely large canine teeth in the upper jaw, which could be as long as 7 in (18 cm) for S. populator. What Is the Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Diet? What would these tigers have liked to eat? Obviously, the diet of a predator can’t be grass. As apex predators, they were feeding on a range of large herbivores, like large bison and camels. They were known to hunt the extremely large but now extinct relatives of modern elephants, the woolly mammoths. In fact, they were able to feed on any creature that they were able to kill. What Is the Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Fighting Strategy? How were these cats able to take down such massive mammoths? The mammoths were extremely large creatures with a bodyweight of around 5-12 tons. The answer lies in their efficient attack and hunting strategies. They usually hunt their prey by ambush, but some (especially S. populator) would even simply overpower the prey with the sheer size and weight. Those large canines were used to slash the prey’s muscles and for the kill. What Is the Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Social Organization? Their social organization into groups was just like modern-day lions and was helpful to take down massive creatures. However, their group hierarchy was also not as strong as in the pride of lions. Saber-toothed size holes were found in their bones, proving that the group organization was somewhat violent. Clashes in a group were common, often resulting in the death of weak members. What About the Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Extinction? One may question, what caused the extinction of these cats? These cats went extinct around 10,000 years ago, along with many other carnivorous megafauna in what was termed a quaternary extinction event. Various causes noted by the researchers include human hunting, lack of food, and climate change. A climate change resulting in the reduction of the population of their prey proved to be fatal for them. Similarly, the arrival of humans further increased the competition for resources. The gradual absence of large herbivores due to human hunting was also detrimental to them because small animals were not suitable targets for their enormous canine teeth. Encounters with the bones of small animals can result in the loss of canine teeth. Saber-Toothed Tiger’s Long Canines: Weapon or Weakness? Although most of you may have assumed their powerful canine teeth to be their supreme weapons, they may not have always been so useful. The weaker muscles in the jaws reduced the effectiveness of their canines. Extremely large size means lack of strength, and consequently, the canines were prone to break if they faced strong bones in the prey. Hence, the canines were useful only on the soft parts of prey with a lower biting force of just a third of that of a modern lion. With such a weak bite force, the beast had to rely on its strong neck muscles for killing its prey. Their thick and strong limbs partially compensated for their weak teeth. Once their canine teeth were broken, the tiger, being unable to hunt, was eventually starved to death. Who Is the Tiger? The tiger (Panthera tigris) needs no introduction. Who is not …

Animals

Tiger vs. Crocodile: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a crocodile: In the water, if a crocodile surprise attack fails, the tiger has the edge. On the land, crocodile’s chances for survival are almost impossible, and a tiger’s strength, speed, and ferocity make it easy to kill a crocodile. Thus, the competition favors the great tiger, the strongest and largest big cat. If you want to learn all about who would win in a fight between a tiger and a crocodile, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Tiger and a Crocodile? In the animal kingdom, survival is the ultimate objective. An animal will eat whatever it can to survive, and tigers are no exception. Although they prefer to eat medium and large-sized herbivores, desperate situations and a cruel fire in their belly can force them to eat big lizards, hippos, and even the hard, tough, and extremely dangerous crocodiles. Crocodiles also have no mercy for big cats. They are among the animals which can eat almost any other, from frogs to large herbivores, bears, and even big cats. Almost all animals drinking from any water source in the wild have to be cautious. The sneaky nature of the crocodile, coupled with its extremely powerful jaws, is something even the strongest animals can’t handle. The crushing force of the jaw is enough to grind the neck of almost every animal. The grasp of their jaw is so devastating and crushing that once an animal is trapped in its jaws, death becomes inevitable. So, what would happen when the largest cat and the largest living reptile face each other? Obviously, the result will be a tough and cruel fight. But who is most likely to emerge victoriously? To answer this puzzle, let’s have a brief look into both of these sturdy and clever creatures. Who Is the Tiger? The wild is incomplete without the beautiful, stripy, strong, and clever tigers. They are stronger and more fearsome than the fabled kings, the lions, and have a number of remarkable features which make them almost invincible creatures on land. Subspecies of Tigers These big majestic cats (Panthra tigris) have a number of regional subspecies, including Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), Bengal (or Indian) tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), Indo-Chinese tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti), etc. Habitat of Tigers Traditionally tigers thrive in the forests, swamps, savannahs, and grasslands over a vast geographical area ranging from eastern Turkey to the Sea of Japan and the Indian subcontinent, where the favored prey species of tigers were abundant. A tiger’s favorite prey species are deer and wild boar. Unfortunately, 93% of historical tiger habitats are now squeezed due to increased human activities. Physical Features of Tigers Depending upon the subspecies, tigers have a huge range of size and weight, e.g., 100-261 kg (220-575 lbs) for males and 75-177 kg (165-390 lbs) for females. Similarly, the Bengal tigers of northern India are up to 11 ft (3.4 m) in length, while the Sumatran tigers, native to Sumatra (Indonesia), are only up to 8 ft (2.4 m) long. Tigers use their 3.3 ft (1 m) long tail to communicate signals. For example, a loose hanging tail signifies relaxation, while a swiftly swinging tail indicates alertness and anger. Stripes of Tigers The long, smooth, insulating double hair coat of tigers bears a pattern of stripes that is an identification mark of tigers and is different for every tiger. This striped hair coat not only helps them thermo-regulate but also works in camouflage. Stripes range in color from yellow to reddish, while some mutant white tigers may have brown ones. Social Behavior of Tigers Unlike the lions that make prides, tigers are solitary and prefer to roam and hunt alone. They are territorial and do need protection and nursing in childhood, which the females mostly carry out. The males are normally dominant and larger, but sometimes the females can be fiercer when protecting their cubs. However, the females are normally peaceful. A study highlighted that tigers can recognize each other and sometimes may be willing to share prey. Diet and Feeding Behaviors of Tigers Tigers are exclusively carnivores, meaning they can only eat meat. They can eat most animals in the wild ranging from small rabbits to crocodiles, grizzly bears, alligators, rhinoceros, and even elephants. However, they show food preferences and tend to prefer wild boars and several species of deer. They are nocturnal, meaning they hunt during the darkness and their excellent night vision is of great value. Tigers do lack stamina, though. Despite a maximum speed of 50 mph (80km/h), they struggle to chase down many of their prey animals. Claw Structure of Tigers One of the most fearsome features of these big cats is their claws. There are 4 claws on each paw which are 4 in (10 cm) long and are strong enough to tear the flesh and rip it apart. Each paw also has a specialized dewclaw in the forearms. Jaw Structure and Bite Force of Tigers The jaws of tigers are adorned with 30 strong teeth. They have the strongest canine teeth of all the cats, which are 2.5-3 in (6-8 cm) in length. The skull of a tiger is rounded and somewhat bulky. The strong muscles in the skull enable them to exert a crushing biting force of 1050 psi which is significantly greater than a lion. For comparison, a human punch generates around 120-150 psi. Amphibious Assault Capability of Tigers They are unexpectedly good swimmers, and unlike many other big cats, they don’t hate water. They can make an amphibious assault and prey on fishes and even sturdy and hard crocodiles. The tigers found in the Sundarbans are regularly observed swimming from one island to the other. Who Is the Crocodile? Animals in the wild are perhaps just as afraid of the powerful jaws of a crocodile as they are a pride of lions. Crocodiles are tough, strong, and at the same time, …

Animals

Tiger Licks Your Skin Off: Possible?

Here’s whether a tiger can lick your skin off: Yes, a tiger can lick your skin off with just a few swings of his rough tongue. But that’s only if the animal decides to hurt you. A friendly tiger lick won’t do you any harm except when the same area of skin is continuously exposed to tiger tongue bards. Luckily for you, nothing serious will happen if your friendly neighborhood tiger approaches and decides to lick you as a way of saying good morning. Let’s get started! What Is a Tiger’s Tongue Made Of? One test was performed using scanning electron micrographs to visualize the surface of the tongues of cats. The results showed that there are numerous papillary formations that are identical in shape. A tiger’s front half of the tongue contains large filiform (threadlike) papillae. They are all made of rigid keratin, a structural protein mostly found in nails and outer layers of skin and hair. The front half spreads from the tip of the tongue to the mid-section. The back half spreading from the middle of the tongue to the throat has softer papillae more densely aligned than the rigid ones. Tongue Bard Morphology The tongue barbs on the front of the tongue have a U-shaped cavity on their upper side. According to one study, after a cat was left to lick a piece of pork for a few minutes, there were chunks of it found inside the barbs. You may find some older literature that states that the filiform papillae on a cat’s tongue are conical instead of hollow, but that’s not correct. Aside from the cavity inside the upper part of the papillae, there is also a bottom cavity that secures the barb to the tongue’s tissue. There is a vast difference in size and, to some point, attitude in different species of domestic and wild cat, but the shape and size of the rigid papillae are always constant. The height of the tongue barbs is around 0.1 inches (2.3 mm) Can you believe that your domestic cat has an almost identical tongue to the average Bengal tiger? How Do Tigers Clean Themselves? Like most of their feline counterparts, tigers are very clean animals. They mind dirt so much that they never take the meat of their prey inside their dens. It’s also almost impossible for a tiger to defecate or urinate in the water source they are using for drinking and bathing. All cats are very strict in means of toilet duties. In captivity, they move far away from the sleeping area to do their dirty deeds. Even though tigers spend a lot of time in the water, the action is mostly for cooling and lowering the body temperature. The most important part of their hygiene is self-grooming. As meticulous as they get about their hair, tigers spend a lot of their time licking their fur thoroughly. It’s more than just getting their bodies wet because the tongue is specifically designed for in-depth cleaning. Both domestic and wild cats invest almost 25% of their time in intensive grooming. This action allows them to remove odors and loose fur, regulate body temperature, redistribute skin and hair oils, and even bond with other cats. The Tongue Barbs Provide Thorough Hygiene The hollow top cavity of the tiger’s tongue bars can wick up fluid like a straw using surface tension (the liquid doesn’t have anywhere else to go except inside). Single papillae can hold up to 0.014 µl of saliva (or other fluid). The total number of papillae being 290, a single lick can transfer approximately 4.1 µl of fluid. That’s approximately one-tenth of a drop from an eyedropper. It’s not a large volume of fluid, but the main purpose of the filiform papillae is to transport the saliva to areas where the surface of the tongue alone can’t. The hairs penetrate inside the saliva-filled cavity and become coated when the tiger licks itself. A tiger’s coat is mostly comprised of air which provides strong insulation. When the tongue is pressed down on the fur, the air is evacuated, and the hairs clump together. The papillae on the tongue are long enough to reach even to the surface of the skin when fully erect. Keep in mind that not all cats are groomable. The Persian domestic cat doesn’t have long enough papillae to reach through its long fur and touch the outer layer of the skin. Lack of grooming can lead to matted and tangled fur, painful skin tugging, and in some cases, skin infection. Tigers and other cats only use the front part of the tongue for grooming, where the rigid papillae can be found. Phases of Tiger Self-Grooming There are 4 phases of self-grooming in Tigers. At first, the tiger extends its tongue out from the mouth. During the second phase, the tongue is expanded to the side while becoming stiff and rigid. Afterward, the tiger sweeps the tongue through the hair, and finally, it retracts in a U-shaped form. During the second phase of expansion and stiffening, the tongue barbs rotate until their position is perpendicular (90 degrees, perfect L) to the tongue’s surface. This motion makes it possible for the barbs to stay erect to increase the tiger’s fur’s contact area. After the tiger licks its fur, the surface tension makes the hair clump together. Although the papillae on the tongue carry less than 5% of the tongue’s saliva volume, their height is enough to pass through to clumped hairs and moisten the dry ones beneath. That would be impossible if the tongue is smooth. Licking and Wound-Healing in Tigers Living in the wild means getting in all kinds of troubles and coming back to your den with many wounds. In this case, the tiger’s tongue is used to deliver a special disinfectant to the injury site and prevent infections from developing. And what antiseptic solution might that be? – You guessed it, it’s the saliva. The tiger’s saliva has more than …

Animals

Tigers Swim and Cats Are Afraid of Water: Why?

Here’s why tigers swim while cats are afraid of water: Tigers are raised to love water and use it to cool off, much like humans do. Tigers need to be strong swimmers to catch prey in the jungle. Domestic cats might be afraid of water because of their heavy fur coats, sensitiveness to smell, they feeling cold, and accidents. Many wild cats love swimming in water. If you want to learn all about why tigers swim while most domestic cat’s don’t, then you’re in the right place Keep reading! Why Do Cats Hate Water? Here’s why cats might hate water: Heavy Fur Coats Cats don’t like getting wet because of what water does to their fur. Cats are hyper fastidious animals that live a great deal of their day grooming by themselves. If your cat is long-haired and they start swimming, their fur coat may become too heavy. Wet fur is not comfortable for a cat and often takes a long time to dry. Sensitive to Smell Cats are greatly sensitive to odor. They sense the chemicals, especially in tap water, which is why your cat won’t usually drink tap water either. Feeling Cold One explanation for why your cat may hate water is because their body temperature drops very fast. If your cat is short-haired, water can get directly to their skin and make them feel very cold, and make them get out of water. Accidents Accidentally falling into a full bathtub, for example, can be a frightening experience for a cat and can make it avoid water for the rest of its life. Do All Domestic Cats Hate Water? Bengal cats are the best-known water lovers, and this makes sense when you consider that the Bengal is a descendant of domestic cats crossed with the Asian Leopard Cat. The Turkish Van, a breed of cat that also loves swimming, hence known as the “swimming cat.” This type of cat has a body built for swimming with its long frame and rounded paws. Abyssinians were ship cats, making the journey from their Indian Ocean coastal homeland to Europe by boat in the late century. Norwegian Forest Cats have been known to catch fish from lakes and streams in their innate habitat. Maine Coon Cats, with their dense and water-resistant fur coats, were a mainstay of New England whalers. Savannah cats, descended by crossing domestic cats with wild servals and thus retain the wild cats’ love of water. Short or absent tails cats also like water: The American Bobtail, the Japanese Bobtail, and the Manx. Why Do Tigers Love to Swim? Unlike domestic cats, larger types enjoy spending their leisure time in the water, and they like to swim for many hours. From when they’re cubs, female tigers encourage them to learn to swim, even if these cubs will get killed in the water. But surprisingly, adults can swim for several kilometers. Though most cats show disinterest in water, tigers love taking baths from rivers and lakes. That will help keep their body wet and colder during the dry seasons and hot parts of the day. Once they come back to dry land, the admixture of the wetness and the wind patterns gives a blessed cooling effect on the tiger’s body. If it begins to wear off, they just keep on doing the process. They’ll submerge their body partly in nearby lakes and streams, soaking for up to an hour. The major cause for tigers to swim is to cool off. They spend most of their day relaxing in the water since they catch their prey at night. As the largest species in the big cat family, tigers have more surface area that heats up. That is why they swim for joy. Likewise, smaller cats such as domesticated ones living in our homes might dislike getting their fur wet since it would make them cold in a discomforting manner. Can Tigers Swim Underwater Too? Tigers are great swimmers and would not avoid water. But swimming tigers will submerge their body (but not go completely underwater). The big cats generally dislike getting water into their eyes, so they get in water up to their necks. Are Tigers the Only Wild Cats That Like Water? Warm climate species, including jaguars and lions, will spend their leisure time in the water and swim only when they want to. Therefore, tigers are not the only big cats that swim. Lions, leopards and cheetahs, and many other mammals can swim too. The ability to swim is different from being able to swim well. Most of the big cats in the cat family used to avoid water as they were adapted to catch their prey on land. On the other hand, tigers live in green tropical jungles with lots of wide rivers. Prey animals in forests do not form pretty convenient herds, so tigers have to chase for their food. Tigers can have large boundaries, and swimming across rivers is a big advantage that came up for them during evolution. Tigers are capable of swimming rivers as wide as seven kilometers across and might swim up to 29 kilometers per day as they patrol their territory. How Can You Expose Your Cat to Water? Important guidelines when exposing your cat to water: 1. Put the kitten in an empty sink and allow them to play with their favorite toy there. Talk gently to him and make the time in the tub or sink fun. Do this for several days and months. Use a positive base and offer treats of food during the entire process. 2. After they are comfortable in a dry sink, you can start rubbing them out with a wet washcloth. 3. Then, add a little bit of water at room temperature to the ground of the sink and put them in, letting them feel it on their feet. It may add great enthusiasm if you put their favorite toy in with them. 4. Once they are fine with the washcloth and water in the sink, you can use a cup to wet them gently. …

Animals

Tigers and Fear: What Are Tigers Afraid Of?

Here’s what tiger are afraid of: Tigers, like the majority of animals, are terrified of fire. The use of fire to keep tigers at bay has been practiced for decades by big cat “tamers.” Tigers are also frightened by strange sounds that they have never heard before. If you want to know all about what are tiger afraid of, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Are Tigers Afraid of Any Other Animal? Tigers are usually at the top of the food chain and are classed as apex predators, which means they aren’t scared of any other animals in their natural environment. In the case of tigers that live within the range of a specific bear species, this is not always the case since they are occasionally killed by bears while vying for food or contesting a kill. The tiger is a vicious predator that occasionally competes with brown bears for adequate food supplies, and the two species may even come into conflict. Tigers are capable of killing both bear cubs and adults. Tigers are also known to prey on Asiatic black bears in some areas of their range. The sloth bear is a very violent animal, capable of scaring tigers away from the prey that they kill when they are at their most hostile. What Are Big Threats to Tigers? The loss of tigers’ natural habitats is a major danger to the survival of the species worldwide. It was believed at the start of the 20th century that there were 100,000 tigers on the globe. There are now between 1,500 to 3,500 tigers in the world, according to estimates from 2015. A further concern stems from the traditional Chinese medicine practice of using components of the tiger. Even though it is a geographically confined phenomenon, the killing of tigers by mugger crocodiles, pythons, and leopards poses a threat to the tiger population as a whole. Generally speaking, tigers and other top predators cohabitate through techniques such as hunting at various times of day in order to avoid conflict with one another. Is It True That Tigers Are Frightened of Humans? Tigers are usually apprehensive when it comes to people, and they exhibit no affinity for human flesh. Humans, even though they are relatively simple prey, are not a preferred source of food. Most man-eating tigers are old, infirm, or lacking teeth, and they prey on humans out of desperation rather than hunger. What Are the Chances of Tigers Attacking or Killing People? Tigers attacks are fairly unusual. Tigers prefer to remain to themselves and avoid interactions with people. In India, where more than 1,700 tigers dwell in the country’s national parks, the number of humans that have been attacked or killed by tigers is at its highest. Sometimes tigers are not scared of people in extremely rare instances and may attack or kill if provoked. These may include the following: Protecting Their Cubs Tigers guarding their offspring are continuously on the lookout for humans to attack and kill. Never approach a tiger cub in the wild since their parents are almost always nearby and ready to strike if the youngster is approached. When it comes to their cubs, they are fiercely protective (unlike lions, who often kill their young). Lack of Food In most cases, a tiger will hunt for huge prey once every week, and it can take several days for tigers to get hungry once more. Given this, a starving or malnourished tiger may leave its normal environment in quest of food, and it will not hesitate to kill in the pursuit of that food. Their Inability to Hunt Effectively Tigers that are unable to go after quick animals may consider people to be their only prey. Old or injured tigers, as well as tigers in their adolescent years who may be unskilled when it comes to hunting, are examples of this type of predator. Keep to heavily populated regions if you’re traveling to a place where tigers are commonly found. If you want to view these magnificent creatures, you don’t have to go into the wilderness. Is It Possible for a Human to Terrify a Tiger? Humans are grossly underappreciated in terms of how strong we are when we are not armed. We may not have hair to shield us from scratches and bites, nor do we have claws to slash at our adversaries, but we are still large and muscular apes with great strength. Is It Possible to Kill a Tiger With Only Your Bare Hands? Assuming no outside forces are present, there is no way a person could defeat an adult tiger in a battle using only his or her own hands. Humans do not have the necessary strength and speed in the correct proportions to inflict serious injury on a 600lb adult tiger of any size. Can Tigers Smell Humans? Yes, they can smell humans. Due to the fact that scent is less keen than some of its other senses, the tiger’s sense of smell is typically not employed for hunting. They have a limited number of odor-detecting cells in their nose and a decreased olfactory area in their brain, which allows them to distinguish between different odors, but not as well as some other big cats. Is It Possible to Survive a Tiger Attack? Tigers are very powerful, swift, and hefty predators. In reality it is tough to survive a tiger attack. However, it is conceivable for a person to survive an attack of this nature one in a thousand times. If you were to use a computer program to mimic a tiger assault and replay the scenario several thousand times, ultimately, the human would have to win at least one of the attacks. Are Tigers Afraid Of Elephants? No, they do not. Tigers and elephants are frequently found living side by side in southern India. While tigers are not often attracted to elephants because of their size, they have been observed killing elephant babies. As a result, elephants …

Animals

Tiger vs. Grizzly Bear: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a grizzly bear. In a fight between a tiger and a grizzly bear wins whoever strikes first. The tiger would win if it successfully used its powerful bite on the neck since it is very hard to get out of a tiger’s jaws. Once the bear manages to get the first swing at the tiger’s spine or legs, the fight is over. If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a tiger and a grizzly bear, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Who Is the Grizzly Bear? Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horbilis) are a subspecies of brown bears found in North America. Two other living subspecies of brown bears, the Kodiak bear, and Alaska Peninsula brown bear, are also sometimes referred to as Grizzly bears. What Are the Physical Characteristics of a Grizzly Bear? Grizzly bears are the largest types of brown bears and range in size from 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) in length and weigh around 600-800 lbs (272-363 kg), while Alaska brown bears (aka the Alaskan Grizzly) can reach 1200-1500 lbs (544-680 kg). The weight of the same Grizzly bear can vary according to the season as they pass through a stage of hyperphagia (extreme eating), putting on a lot of fat followed by 6-7 months of hibernation, losing 25-30% of their body weight. A characteristic hump on the shoulders is an identifiable mark of Grizzly bears and differentiates them from a black bear. They are also characterized by small rounded ears, a rump lower than the shoulders, and 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long claws that are less rounded than those of black bears and perfectly adapted for digging. The fur of Grizzly bears is brown with white-tipped hairs that sometimes appear grey. What Is the Habitat of a Grizzly Bear? Grizzly bears are found in forests, woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, and the Rocky Mountains of Alaska, Northwestern America, and Western Canada. Their population increases near lakes and river streams where they hunt salmon. The Grizzlies living near rivers are larger than midland grizzlies because of the abundance of food. What Is the Diet of a Grizzly Bear? Grizzly bears are Hypocarnivores (consume meat less than 30% of the total diet), eating almost everything from seeds, berries, insects, and fish to dead bison as scavengers. They hunt small deer species, calves and cubs of bison, moose and elk, and salmon when they move against the river stream. They scavenge by eating up kills of other predators and dead bison stuck in the ice. They dig for the middens of red squirrels to find the seeds and nuts. Outside the Yellowstone national park, meat constitutes only 5% of the grizzly bear’s diet. How Do Grizzly Bears Reproduce? Grizzly bears reproduce slowly. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 5 years, and there is a delay in the embryo’s implantation after mating for 4-5 months until the female goes into hibernation. The gestation period is 180-250 days, and 2-4 cubs (mostly 2) are produced during hibernation. What Is the Behavior of a Grizzly Bear? Grizzly bears are solitary, territorial, and extremely dangerous animals. They can fight with their own siblings over territory, females, and food. Newborn cubs remain with their mother for 2-3 springs and then leave as sub-adults. The males can kill the young ones, but the females are viciously protective of their cubs. Grizzlies can gather on the river streams for salmon-hunting, but the larger males also fight for the dominant place to hunt easily. In the bears’ world, there is little sharing of carcasses. Bears are known to grieve and moan on the death of their mothers. Now we should know a bit about the other combatant, the tiger. Who Is the Tiger? Who doesn’t know the tiger? The largest and the most dangerous of all cats, characterized by a broad face, lean and beautiful body with a specific fur pattern, and excellent hunting and fighting ability. They are excellent swimmers and can climb trees as well. What Are the Physical Characteristics of a Tiger? Tigers have strong muscular bodies with less fat compared to grizzly bears. They range in length between 8-12 ft (2.4-3-7 m) and weigh between 200-700 lbs (91-318 kg). The tigers of colder climates are larger than those found in the warmer regions, and males tend to be larger and stronger than females. The colors of tigers vary from white-furred to pale golden with light brown to black stripe patterns, which are visible even in shaved individuals. They also have thick and long hairs around their neck and face that appear as the mane. They have small rounded ears with spots, a long tail, very strong paws to kill anything, and very sensitive whiskers spread over the whole body. What Is the Habitat of Tigers? As far as geography is concerned, different tiger subspecies are found in different geographical regions. For example, Bengal tigers are native to India, and Amur tigers are found in Siberia. Tigers live in savannahs, forests, mangrove swarms, and rocky areas wherever the prey is abundant. 93% of natural tiger habitat is under threat because of human encroachment. What Is the Diet of Tigers? Unlike Bears, tigers are exclusively carnivores, meaning they can only digest meat. They hunt almost everything with flesh ranging from small hares to larger Indian bison. Tigers may also take on other predators, including small bears and their own cubs. An adult tiger eats 3-6 kg of meat daily. The meat is deficient in vitamins and fiber. So tigers in captivity are also fed liver once a week to optimize nutrition. Tigers may also be seen eating small amounts of fruits and vegetation to supply fiber occasionally. How Do Tigers Reproduce? Unlike Grizzlies, tigers reproduce at a faster rate, almost throughout the year. The female is receptive to the male for 3-6 days, and mating occurs frequently. The gestation period is from 93-114 days, and …

Animals

Tiger vs. Python: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a python. A python cannot handle an adult tiger effectively and has got almost no chance to win in a fight. But in the water, the chances are improved for a victory of the python, but it’s still very hard and not possible without a heavy price. If you want to know all the details who wins in a fight between a tiger and a python, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! What Pythons Are There? Pythons are a genus of huge, non-venomous snakes native to Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and other South Asia. Along with their use for making bags and belts, these non-venomous fellows are also popular as pets as well. The representatives of this genus include: African rock python (the heaviest of them) Indian rock python Reticulated python (the longest and most dangerous of them) Burmese python (the most invasive of them) Ball python (the most beautiful of them) Borneo python (the shortest of them) For convenience, much of our talk will be related to Rock pythons (African or Indian) and Reticulated pythons. What Are the Physical Characteristics of Pythons? Pythons range in size from the 20 inches of the Anthill python to the longest reticulated python reaching a length of up to 22 ft. The average size of reticulated pythons is 4-19 ft. Although a bit shorter than reticulated pythons, the African rock pythons with weights of 44-55 kg are the heaviest python species. Of course, I am not talking about anacondas as they are not pythons. The colors of pythons vary according to habitat, including brown, chestnut, olive grayish, and some other uncommon colors. These color patterns provide camouflage for successful hunts. Their thick skin is covered with smooth, small scales joined in an irregular stripe pattern. They have a triangular head, labial pits to sense in the lower lip, extremely stretchable jaws, a number of backward directed teeth arranged in 6 rows, and leg-like non-functional spurs that relate them to lizards as their evolutionary ancestors, and it is speculated that they may be able to develop fully functional legs again. What About Pythons? Pythons are found in grasslands, savannahs, old woody areas, deserts, hills, shrublands, and deserts, particularly on rocks beside water bodies like rivers, canals, and streams. Most python populations are native to Africa and South Asia, but some python species were exported to the US and other parts of the world on account of the pet trade and now appear to be invasive over there. What Is the Diet of Pythons? All pythons are ambush hunters and kill their prey by constricting coils around them. They weigh their prey to reach within their range, grab it by their jaws, and form coils around it. Pythons constrict with a crushing force leading to cardiac arrest of the feared prey. They eat small mammals like mice, bats, and small civets or even larger prey species like deer, antelopes, dogs, warthogs, and sometimes hyenas as well. They can eat cubs of big cats and small crocodiles as well. A python kills by constriction and swallows its prey all over. Due to the flexibility of its jaws, a python can swallow a prey 3 times wider than its own mouth and can open its jaws to 180 degrees. How Do Pythons Reproduce? Pythons lay large-sized eggs in a large number, and females coil around them to protect. They are cold-blooded animals, but the female warms its body by rhythmic contractions of body muscles and incubates the eggs. The average gestation period is of 84-90 days. What Are the Behaviors of Pythons? Pythons are sneaky, aggressive, non-venomous predators, but they do become lazy after eating. They engulf their prey as a whole and take several weeks to digest it. During that period, a python moves slowly and spends most of the time resting. They don’t attack other predators unless threatened or very hungry, which is rare. Reticulated pythons have a history of attacking humans. Enough of the python introduction though, let’s get to the tiger. What About Tigers? Tigers are the largest felids and are the most dangerous of all cats. With a beautiful and strong body, amazing speed, strong paws, sharp claws, and strong hunting instincts, a tiger can charge on anything made up of flesh, even if it is a python. What Are the Physical Characters of a Tiger? A size (length) ranging 8-12 ft, weight range of 90-300 kg, a well-developed muscular body, double-layered fur with a beautiful camouflaging striped pattern, razor-sharp claws of up to 4 inches, and a beautiful mane-like head of hair are some representative characteristics of a tiger. Tigers have a strong biting force reaching 1200 PSI that can crush any living thing coming their way. For comparison, a human punch generates around 120-150 psi. What Is the Habitat of Tigers? Tigers are restricted to only 7% of their original geographical habitat due to humans occupying the area. Tigers dwelling in the savannahs, forests, woodland and grasslands, and Mangrove swamps of India and Alaska, and some parts of China. What Is the Diet of Tigers? Tigers, like pythons, are exclusive carnivores and hunt down almost anything from small rabbits and birds to large bison, crocodiles and even make attempts on elephants and rhinos but rarely. Their digestive system has the ability to digest bones, hooves, hairs, and sometimes teeth as well. They are ambush hunters, sneaking near their prey and snapping its neck with a powerful, speedy attack. How Do Tigers Reproduce? Tigers breed throughout the year, with males and females living together only for mating. The gestation period is approximately 93-112 days, and 2-3 cubs are produced. The female nourishes and protects the young ones from predators and even other male tigers. Tigers reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years of age. What Is the Behavior of Tigers? Tigers are highly aggressive creatures with the instinct to attack anything made up of flesh. They are solitary …

Gorilla vs. Tiger: Who Wins in a Fight? (+ Vital Facts)

Animals

Tiger vs. Gorilla: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a gorilla. In most fights between a tiger and a gorilla, the tiger has more chance at defeating the gorilla. However, the gorilla is not a safe and easy target and can inflict potentially lethal blows on the tiger. Gorillas are strong enough to deter any apex predators from preying upon them. So if you want to know why the tiger might win in a fight between a gorilla, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Tiger? Most of us believe that the lordship of the wild belongs to the big cats, with some beasts sharing power, maybe the hyena or the elephant. So it might be a pleasant surprise for many of us that one of our cousins, the gorilla, is also a strong competitor and can challenge the big cats whenever needed. Felt proud? Both the gorilla and the tiger are large animals and are strong enough to give a bloody nose to any potential enemy. So, what would a battle between the strongest of the big cats, the tiger, and the strongest of the primates, the gorilla, look like? To answer this, we must first look into the strengths and defense strategies of both. So, let’s introduce both of these contenders. Who Is the Gorilla? Evolution has created many close as well as distant relatives to us. The largest and one of our closest relatives are present in the genus Gorilla. Gorillas and humans separated from our last common ancestor about 10 million years ago. So let’s have a brief overlook of gorillas. Habitat and Species of Gorillas The strongest of primates and the pride of the Hominidae family inhabit the tropics of central Africa. They are our close cousins, and their DNA is as much as 98% similar to ours. Two species, the eastern and western gorillas, and many subspecies have been recognized. The mountain and eastern lowland gorilla are the subspecies of eastern gorilla while western lowland and cross river subspecies belong to western gorilla. Diet of Gorillas Gorillas are herbivore animals and feed on all types of vegetation, including fruits, stems, and bamboo shoots. The leaves constitute an overwhelming part (86%) of their diet. However, the western lowland gorillas are also known to eat ants and termites. They break the nests of termites and devour their larvae. Behavior of Gorillas Gorillas live in small social groups called troops. Each troop consists of 1-4 adult males (often called silverbacks), a few juveniles and immature males (the black backs), mature females, and juvenile females. In contrast to many other animals, the gorillas are generally non-territorial, meaning they are not as aggressive in defending their territory. However, they will defend their troop or status when called for, sometimes violently and to death. You might have assumed that an herbivore animal can’t challenge dangerous carnivores. That is not true for gorillas. They are mostly peaceful in stable, well-established troops and rarely fight. Nevertheless, they are strong creatures and can fight and defend themselves when necessary. Any animal stupid enough to awaken this giant is likely to suffer terribly. Appearance of Gorillas Gorillas are strongly built, quite robust, and have a strong chest. In addition, they have powerful, muscular arms, which are an estimated 15-20% larger than their legs. Their size and weight are also impressive. The male mountain gorilla can reach 300-485 lbs. (136-220 kg.) in weight and 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 meters) in height. Physical Strength of Gorillas Their strength to body size ratio is majestic. Gorillas can be up to 10 times stronger when compared to their body weight. Their supreme strength enables them to lift enormous loads, sometimes 10 times their own weight. Their arms are long, bulky, and strong, with an average arm span of 7.5-8.5 ft (2.3-2.6 kg). These lengthy arms are used for foraging as well as for defense. Their punch strength has been estimated at 1300-2700 lbs (590-1225 kg). Jaw Structure and Biting Force of Gorillas Their jaw is strongly built, and they have 32 teeth, just like us humans. However, their teeth are stronger, and they have a crushing biting force of 1300 pounds per square inch (psi). For comparison, a human punch generates around 120-150 psi. This is way ahead of a lion (650 psi), tiger (1050 psi), or hyena (1100 psi). The grizzly bear, with 1200 psi, is a close rival. Their jaws also have canine teeth about 2 in (5 cm) long, which they use effectively during the fighting. They will also use their canines to frighten away various intruders. Who Is the Tiger? Almost all of us are familiar with these big cats. Tigers are strong, majestic, shrewd, and eye-catching creatures of the wild. At the same time, they are ferocious fighters and hunters. A brief introductory review will help you to compare them with gorillas. Habitat and Species of Tigers They traditionally inhabit the southern half of Asia, with the exception of the Arabian Peninsula. Various regional subspecies have been recognized, but the most well-known is the Bengal tigers and Siberian tigers. Diet of Tigers The tiger (Panthera tigris) is one of the apex predators out in the wild, meaning they are efficient killing machines and can kill and eat a wide array of animals, from termites to young elephants. They prefer to eat medium to large size ungulates and herbivores, such as spotted deer, zebras, water buffalo, and horses. Behavior of Tigers Tigers are territorial creatures. They are solitary and interact only briefly during mating or while sharing a kill. They prefer to stand on their hind legs and use their strong claws and teeth during an attack. This is in sharp contrast to the African and Asiatic lions, which prefer to fight static. This fighting position adds to the offensive and defensive powers, thus making them efficient killing machines. Appearance of Tigers They are light to reddish yellow (some say orange) …

Animals

Horses vs. Camels: What Are the Differences and Their Uses?

Here are the differences between horses and camels and their different uses: Their primary differences are: Speed Digestion Tolerance to the harsh desert climate Spitting Eyelashes and the third eyelid Sleeping habit Life span Structure of the foot Number and structure of mammary glands and teats The direction of penis and urination Their uses differ primarily in: Riding, racing, and shows Transportation Meat Milk Beauty products and soaps Hair Leather If you want to learn all about the differences between horses and camels and how their uses differ, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Differences Between Horses and Camels and Their Different Uses? I can make a General in 5 minutes, but a good horse is hard to replace. Abraham Lincoln This quote from Lincoln testifies to the glory of horses and their service to mankind for centuries. Before the age of fighter jets or Mercedes trucks, horses served as key military equipment. Horses are a symbol of strength, power, speed, and pride. They are one of the most loyal domesticated animals. Although the use and purpose of keeping horses have changed over time, today’s horses still serve humans through sports competitions, recreation, and even transportation in some developing countries. A horse is an entity used for expensive sports like equestrian (horse riding) shows and polo matches to the cheapest mode of transportation in poorer countries. On the other hand, camels are not exactly slouched in this arena. Often found in the stretches of deserts such as in the Middle East and Africa, the camel—also known as the “ship of the desert”—is well adapted to survive the harsh desert climate. Camels can perform well in places where horses may not be a great option. What Are the Comparative Human Uses of Horses and Camels? Both camels and horses have been used in the past for similar purposes but in different environments. In this section, we will be discussing the comparative efficacy of both horse and camel for different activities and services to human beings. #1 Riding, Racing, and Shows There are dozens of events involving horse racing worldwide, such as flat racing, harness racing, jump racing, steeplechase, and endurance riding in many regions worldwide. Many different equestrian sports are played worldwide under the International Federation for Equestrian Sports platform, with slight cultural modifications for different cultures. These sports include: Polo Coleo in South America Doma Vaquera in Spain Tent-pegging in Pakistan and India There are dozens of international horse shows conducted worldwide each year, such as the London International Horse Show and AQHA World Championship. Although less popular than horses, camel racing has also been very popular for ages. Many camel-racing events occur legally or illegally in the Middle East, UAE, Sudan, and Indian subcontinent. The camel race with the biggest prize money in Australia has a prize purse of 500,000 Australian dollars. The Sheikh Zayed International Camel Endurance Race and Boulia Desert Sand Race are conducted in Queensland, Australia. Believe it or not, there are camel shows as well. One of the biggest camel shows and fairs is conducted in Rajasthan, India. #2 Transportation Humans have used horses and camels almost equally and effectively for carriage and transportation. Both species have been used to carry the troops, weapons, goods for trade, and pull carts and trolleys. A horse can carry 20% of its body weight safely. On average a horse weighs 880 lbs (400 kg). So it can carry 176 lbs (80 kg) safely. The table below shows the different weights of horses based on their types. Horse Type Horse Weight Draft 1,500–2,200 lbs (680–998 kg) Light 800–1,500 lbs (363–680 kg) Ponies 300–900 lbs (136–408 kg) Miniature 100–350 lbs (45–159 kg) The maximum weight a horse can carry is about 400 lbs (181 kg). Even today, horses and mules (a cross between a mare and donkey) carry military equipment in hilly areas. A camel can carry more weight than a horse, up to 600 lbs (272 kg), and is more trusted in deserts and unstable terrains. It can walk for longer distances without food and water and is more successful in the huge stretches of deserts in the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, and India. So, as far as transportation is concerned, the camel is more successful in this area than the horse. #3 Meat In human history, horse meat has been used extensively for food during drought, wars, and even on cultural and religious events. Horse meat is as nutritious as beef and has a slightly sweeter taste due to the high glycogen in horse meat. The color of horse meat is red and contains 21 g of protein, 3 g of fat, and has fewer calories than lean beef—108 kcal per 3.5 oz. (100 g) compared to 120 kcal per 3.5 oz. (100 g). The horse meat contains more iron and many other minerals and has slightly more protein than beef. There are some cultural and religious promotions as well as hurdles in regards to consuming horse meat. In countries like Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, horse meat is not consumed except illegally. However, China is the largest producer of horse meat, followed by central Asia and other countries. Horse meat can be difficult to chew, especially in the case of meat from older horses. Over 1 million horses are slaughtered each year for meat, and most of them include: Ex-racehorses Sick or injured horses Older horses. Camel meat has been extensively used throughout history. With a good moisture content of 76–78%, a protein content of 20 g and fat content of 6 g per 3.5 oz. (100 g), and a high concentration of minerals and vitamins, camel meat is very popular in many communities around the world. Camel meat contains around 136 kcal per 3.5 oz. (100 g). The table below shows the comparison of the nutritional contents of different meat products per 3.5 oz. (100 g) serving. Type of Meat Calories Proteins Fats Horse Meat 108 kcal 20.6 g 2.6 g Lean Beef …