Tigers – Nature Noon

Human vs. Tiger: Can a Human Survive?

Here’s whether a human can survive a fight with a tiger: Despite the slim chances, a human can survive a fight with a tiger if their luck is in their favor. Therefore, it is safer to avoid getting into a fight with a tiger altogether. Once the animal starts engaging, you are pretty much toast. So if you want to learn all about whether and how a human can survive a fight with a tiger, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Can a Human Survive a Fight With a Tiger? A human can survive a fight with a tiger if luck is in his/her favor, but the chances are very slim. The safer option is to avoid getting into a fight with a tiger altogether. Once the animal decides to engage, you are about as good as dead. Weapons and tools provide about the only real chance for a human to survive a tiger attack. Hand-to-hand combat is very unlikely to go well for a person. Firearms will scare off a tiger with the noise alone. Pepper spray can also do the trick if you start spraying while the tiger is at a good distance. Firecrackers might come in handy. Lighting a few of them makes tigers flee the spot because it sounds like a gun battle is on. Never think of a sick, injured, very old, or very young tiger as something less dangerous than an adult, healthy one. All tigers are fierce killers. Disabled tigers may have less ability to hunt big animals, but humans are still a little match for them in direct combat. How Many People Have Been Killed by Tigers? Around 373,000 people have been killed by tigers between the years 1800 and 2009. Most of the attacks happened in Southeast Asia, Nepal, and India. An average of 1,700 people are killed by tigers every year. How to Survive a Tiger Attack? Your best chance of surviving a tiger attack is spotting the predator before it spots you. In any case, you need to stay motionless and quiet. Any movement will alert the animal and turn its predatory attention to you. The worst thing you can do is panic. How can one avoid panicking when threatened by a tiger attack, you ask? Well, not easily, that’s for sure. However, staying calm will increase your odds of survival. Inhaling deeply and closing your eyes for a second might help you lower your anxiety, even for a little bit. Panic tends to make people engage in a fight or flight response. Either of those reactions will encourage the tiger to attack you. Once you’ve taken that moment to calm yourself, start backing away slowly without making eye contact. Don’t turn away or show your back to a tiger. You only make yourself a more appealing target that way. You can start running in the opposite direction as soon as the animal is out of your sight. Until then, keep facing it. Avoiding a Tiger Attack With Another Person If a parent were to see their child attacked by a tiger, their first instinct would be to step in front of their son or daughter and shield them with their own body. That instinct might not be the best solution, unfortunately. Experts think that putting your child on your shoulders might make you look more intimidating to the tiger by making you look bigger. The same rule applies if you are with another adult and if either can hold the other one on their shoulders. Any action that makes you look bigger is beneficial in this situation. Stand tall, puff yourself up, and hope the tiger perceives you as a large threat. Doing the opposite, such as crouching or sitting, will encourage the wild cat to come running in your direction. Keep Yourself Clean A natural (albeit embarrassing) response in a situation of extreme fear or happiness is for a person to pee his or her pants. When you are near a wild tiger, however, you must do everything in your power to hold your urine in your bladder. Tigers are very attracted to the smell of urine. They also might think you are trying to mark your territory and perceive the urinating as an act of aggression. In this case, a simple pee is a thing that can get you killed. Keep a Safe Distance From Captive Tigers Nowadays there are more tigers in captivity than there are tigers living in the wild. Despite what you might see on social media and TV, tigers can never become reliable pets. That’s why you should always keep your distance from tigers. Don’t try to pet them. Simply enjoy their beauty with your eyes only. Fight Back If there is no chance of remaining hidden, and the tiger looks ready to attack you, then you need to fight back. Lying on the ground and playing dead won’t work with this particular animal. It will only make you an easy meal. If the tiger caught you in its grips, try to stick your hand in its mouth to trigger a gagging reflex. This reflex stops the animal from biting. The good news is that tigers are more afraid of humans than they are of just about anything else, including lions. Chances are that you won’t need to use your hand in that manner. Can I Escape From a Tiger if I Jump in the Water? Even though it’s a popular belief that all cats fear water, tigers are excellent swimmers that willingly go into the water to cool themselves off. Jumping into the water to save yourself from a tiger won’t do you much good. What would happen if you did jump into water? Well, first of all, the tiger will jump towards you and practically crush you beneath its weight. They can jump at distances of over 33 feet (10 meters). Even if you went far, the tiger can cross as much as 18 miles …

Animals

Tiger vs. Panther: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a panther: The tiger will win almost any fight with a panther. The panther is much smaller than a tiger, and the tiger is more massive. Usually, however, greater size comes at the cost of less maneuverability. Tigers, however, are unique in the sense that their size does not hamper their agility. If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a tiger and a panther and why so, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! What Happens When a Tiger and a Panther Fight? The seven big cats form the ruling elite of the wild: African lion Bengal tiger Jaguar Leopard Mountain lion Ocelot Siberian tiger They mostly coexist in the wild without any serious collisions. They are powerful and extremely agile creatures. The innocent grass eaters are their usual victims. So does being a big cat mean immunity from any sort of danger? Who can threaten these savages of the wild? An old saying goes, “only iron can cut iron.” The giants of the world, such as elephants, giraffes, and rhinoceros, can beat big cats in a fight, but they usually don’t attack them first. Only a big cat can fight the other on totally equal footing. So, what would happen when the largest of the big cats (the tiger) decides to assert its dominance and subdue one of its deadly colleagues (the panther)? The tiger is well-known for subduing silverback gorillas and grizzly bears, but can it crush a fellow feline? To answer this, an introduction of both these predators is necessary. Who Is the Tiger (Panthera Tigris)? These beautiful, muscular, and impressive animals are the most savage hunters of the wild. Do you remember school day visits to wildlife zoos? These majestic and beautiful wild cats usually attract more people than the other animals. Truly speaking, tigers are at the apex of strength, beauty, courage, and ferocity. They possess enormous strengths, which make them supreme hunters. Subspecies of Tigers Tigers inhabit various regions of the globe. The tigers living in each region develop different features according to the requirements of their geographical area. Consequently, at least 9 regional subspecies of the tigers are described in the literature. Furthermore, they have marked variations in size, with the Sumatran tigers being the smallest and the Siberian tigers being the largest ones. In literature, the Bengal tigers and the Siberian tigers are the most commonly mentioned subspecies. For the sake of avoiding confusion, we will discuss the medium-sized Bengal tigers. Size of Tigers These tigers have a shoulder height of 34-45 in (86-114 cm) and a body length of 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) to 6 ft 3 in (1.9 m). The average weight of the adult male is 441-557 lbs (200-261 kg), while the adult females average at 256-362 lbs (116-164 kg). The captives in zoos can go even higher. Habitat and Diet of Tigers Tigers have a wide range of geographical distribution but are normally found in rain forests, savannah, grasslands, and even the swamps of Bengal. They prefer a habitat that has an abundant supply of fresh water and dense green vegetation. The dense vegetation means prey is abundant for them, like large ungulates and hoofed animals in particular. They are courageous creatures and can attack and kill much larger animals, like rhinoceros, elephant calves, and crocodiles. Razor-Sharp Claws of Tigers Have you ever seen a tiger fighting? Recall their fighting style. They attack their victims with front claws and grasp their necks with sharp canine teeth, suffocating them to death. Their paws are blessed with four massive and sharp claws (the frontal paws have an additional dewclaw). These claws are razor sharp and are 4 in (10 cm) long. The prey is doomed if it comes into contact with these claws. Social and Hunting Behavior of Tigers Unlike the extremely social lions, which attack and prey in their pride, tigers are solitary hunters. Obviously, they don’t like to share their spoils with anyone. This is a disadvantage when the tiger is facing large animals like elephants. However, there is something unique in the fighting style of the tiger. It likes to stand on its hind legs and uses its deadly frontal claws to attack the victims. Their bite force of 1050 PSI is also devastating and can dismantle prey easily. The average strength of a human bite is 162 PSI. Night Vision of Tigers Tigers are better hunters at night. Their night vision is almost 6 times higher than humans. A structure called tapetum lucidum is responsible for their night vision. The excellent night vision enables them to hunt down the isolated elephant calves, easy victims in the darkness. The sneak attack enables them to ambush the almost unaware victim. Amphibious Assault Capability of Tigers Tigers are good swimmers, and unlike the Asiatic lions, they don’t hate the water and can chase their prey in the water. Due to this ability, even fearsome hunters of the shores like crocodiles are themselves under threat. A hungry tiger can go in the water and dine on a crocodile without any hesitation. Jumping Ability and Speed of Tigers The long and powerful hind legs and a flexible spine allow them to jump up to 33 ft (10 m) forward in a single leap. In addition, they can jump up to 16 ft (5 m) up. Being the largest doesn’t mean being the fastest, though. They are way faster than a lion but considerably slower than a cheetah, with an average speed of 35-40 mph (56-64 kph). Who Is the Panther (Panthera Pardus)? The panther is a lightweight version of the tiger. A panther is not a separate animal species from a tiger. Instead, it is a black-coated version of leopard (Panthera pardus) or jaguar (Panthera onca). Why are they black? The darkness of color is related to the production of a colored compound called melanin in the body. More melanin …

Animals

Siberian Tiger vs. Polar Bear: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a Siberian tiger and a polar bear: The bear is at an advantage in terms of power, jaw strength, and skin thickness. The tiger, however, is the best of all in terms of speed, maneuverability, hunting experience, and behavior. In a fight between a polar bear and a Siberian tiger, the tiger may have an edge. If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a Siberian tiger and a polar bear, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right! Fight Between a Siberian Tiger and a Polar Bear? Ever heard the name “Amur tiger,” “Manchurian tiger” (not chicken-Manchurian), “Korean tiger,” or Ussurian tiger? These are synonyms for the Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris, the largest of all tigers and the largest of all cats. Named after the 10th longest river in the world (Amur River), Siberian tigers are the remnants of their closest genetic cousins, the Caspian tigers, which have gone extinct. Now imagine that the largest of the cats has to fight with the largest of the bears, the mighty polar bear, obviously not in the boxing ring, but till death as both the combatants are the apex predators and lie at the top of their respective food chains. Who will win this deadly fight is an obvious question that needs a logical answer. Before getting into the details of the fight between the Siberian tiger and polar bear, let us know both animals. What Are the Habitats of Siberian Tigers and Polar Bears? Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) are an endangered subspecies of tigers with less than a thousand Siberian tigers left in Southern Russia, Northern parts of China, and some parts of North Korea. Their habitat is a beautiful merger of two forest types; temperate broadleaf and mixed forest and Taiga, characterized by a variety of trees, small and large peaks, and many different types of prey animals along with a minimum influence by humans. Polar bears are found on and around the Arctic ring of life in the US, Canada, Russia, and some islands of Norway. Polar bears are actually sea mammals as they spend most of their lives on the sea ice and depend primarily on the frozen layers of the ice for their favorite food; seals. Although they travel on land, they spend most of their lives dwelling on the frozen sea ice, looking for their prey. It is also noteworthy that polar bears have diverged from populations of brown bears separated from the rest of the brown bears in eastern Siberia. What Are the Physical Features of Siberian Tigers and Polar Bears? There is no easy comparison between Siberian tigers and polar bears concerning physical features except that both are exclusively carnivores. Their bodies are adapted to digest only meat. Size of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear Siberian tigers are the heaviest of all big cats, and their weights range between 397-674 lbs (180-306 kg) for males and 220-368 lbs (100-167 kg) for females. The body length of the Siberian tiger is 77 inches (195 cm), and 69 inches (175 cm) for males and females, respectively, excluding the tail of 99 cm and shoulder height is 30-42 inches (76-106 cm). Polar bears are bulky and have twice the size of Siberian tigers. Adult male polar bear weighs 772-1543 lbs (350-700 kg), and total body length is about 94-118 inches (239-300 cm). Even the adult female polar bears weighing 331-551 lbs (150-250 kg) and longing 71-94 inches (180-239 cm), almost half of their male counterparts, are heavier and larger than adult Siberian tigers. Shape of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear Siberian tigers have beautiful, lean, and stout builds. They have broad skulls of 13-15 inches (33- 38 cm) and wide jaws. The whiskers and long fur around the face and neck make it even wider and broader. Moreover, the other prominences of the face and skull appear greater than all other big cats. The female is smaller and shorter than the male. Tigers have fewer (only 30) but stronger teeth, and their canines are 2.5-3 inches (6.35-7.6 cm) in length. Polar bears have bulky builds, long narrow skulls to help catch seals, stocky legs, small ears, and a very short tail. Their feet are adapted to swimming and walking on slippery ice. They can use their front paws as paddles and back legs as a rudder, and their feet are slightly webbed to help them propel the water. Their claws are stocky, thick, non-retractile, and curved to dig in the ice and hold their bulky prey. Also, their feet have papillae (projections) that create friction on the ice. Polar bears have 42 teeth, and their canines are larger than Siberian tigers. They have a thick layer (up to 4 inches or 10 cm) of fatty deposits in their hides to provide insulation. Colors and Pattern of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear The fur color of the Siberian tiger is a pale yellow to rusty color and varies according to the seasonal temperature. They have a moderately thick double layer of fur, coarse during summer and soft and long during winter. Siberian tigers have dark brown to black vertical stripes, which are specific to each tiger. The polar bear also has a double layer of fur, a thick undercoat, and long guard hair above that are transparent and appear white that turns yellow with age. They have dark skin that can be seen only at the nose and absorbs light to keep them warm in a freezing icy environment. The hairs on the forelegs are exceptionally long and give a bulky appearance. Diet of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear Both Siberian tigers and Polar bears are exclusive carnivores and are apex predators of their respective food chains, but their chains are different. Siberian tigers prey upon various animals in their niche, from large animals such as wapiti, musk deer, and wild boar to smaller ones like hares, …

Animals

Lion vs. Tiger: Who Is More Dangerous?

Here’s whether a lion or a tiger is more dangerous: Lions tend to be lazy and won’t engage in a confrontation unless there’s a really good reason. Tigers are more active, more muscled, and have more agility than the king of the jungle, the lion. That’s what makes tigers more dangerous than Lions. If you want to learn all about why tigers are more dangerous than lions, then this article is for you. Keep reading! Is a Lion or a Tiger More Dangerous? Tigers and lions are some of the most ferocious animal species. There are significant differences in the fighting force between them. Tigers are more active, more muscular, and have enhanced agility compared to the king of the jungle. That’s what makes them superior in one-on-one combat. Lions are rather lazy and won’t get into confrontation without a strong reason for that. The naturally more aggressive tiger poses a greater danger to other animals and humans. Lions fight as a group, so 3 or more males would have a significant advantage against a lone tiger. Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Lion and a Tiger? The outcome of a lion vs. tiger battle will depend on many individual factors. Even if the scientific evidence suggests that tigers are stronger, you must also consider the animal’s age, breed, physiology, and fighting style. All of us have been taught that the undisputed king of the jungle is the lion which probably suggests he is unmatched by any other contender. That theory is wrong the same way the common belief that lions are living in the jungle is (lions inhabit plains and grasslands). What Are the Fighting Advantages of Lions and Tigers? Lions are fighters from birth. They play many battle games while growing up with other small lions and spend most of their lives battling opponents that want to take over their pride (pride is a family of lions). Frequent clashes make them experienced fighters. Solitary tigers have a major advantage in means of agility and flexibility. They can climb trees and even swim in fast-flowing rivers where they catch tortoises and fish (occasionally an alligator). With excellent eyesight, their victims are equally vulnerable during day or night. Many experiments that involve individual comparison of behavior and strength in the different settings have been performed to answer the enigma of this big cat battle. How About Those Ancient Cage Battles Between Lions and Tigers? Today it’s unacceptable to abuse animals for human entertainment purposes, but in the past, tigers and lions were often pitted against each other in fighting arenas. The Colosseum in ancient Rome was one of the places where lions engaged in fierce battles with tigers. From what I have presented so far, it is no surprise that the usual victors were the tigers, but occasionally a lion would win. Gunga was the name of a Bengal tiger owned by the Indian Emperor of Awadh. Held in captivity in London, Gunga was often put to the test against lions and killed more than 30 of them. It took only 10 minutes for him to finish the opponent. From the more recent clashes, the incident at the Ankara Zoo in Turkey must be mentioned. Finding a gap in the fence, a tiger went inside the lion’s den. It took just one stroke, a single paw swipe for the tiger to severely damage the opponent’s jugular veins and kill him on the spot. Who Is the Barbary Lion? An Indian prince named Gaekwad organized a fight during the 19th century between a Barbary Lion and a Bengal Tiger, placing a sizeable bet of what is today 1 million dollars for the lion to win. He lost a lot of money that day. A rare individual was a famous Barbary lion named Juno. He was put to the test with many tigers, and it is said that he killed as many as 13 opponents. This species of lions are extinct nowadays. They were larger than the African lions and had a dark mane. Are Lions or Tigers More Dangerous to Humans? It’s estimated that approximately 373.000 people were killed by tigers between the years 1800 and 2009. That’s an average of 1800 tiger-attack deaths per year. Most of these human-tiger conflicts that ended tragically happened in India and Southeast Asia. Tigers have claimed more human lives than any other species of wild cats. A tiger will decide to attack if the human sneaks in on him, when he is interrupted while eating or when a tigress wants to protect the cubs. They can also mistake the human with some prey and attack. Around 200 people are killed by lions annually. That’s a large number, considering that humans aren’t a lion’s natural prey. Even when a lion goes for humans, it will take time for him to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the action he is about to perform. His highly developed predator-prey dynamics is what prevents him from attacking tourists in open vehicles. The lion sees the vehicle as something too big to attack and too cheesy to be a threat, so the animal decides to lay low. Are Lions or Tiger Man-Eaters? Tigers can change their natural diet due to few reasons and become man-eaters. Humans are easy prey, and incapacitated tigers that were previously injured may start hunting people. Any type of injury/health problem that makes a tiger vulnerable can make him chase humans that can be easily overpowered. Lions can become man-eaters for the same reason as tigers. The most notorious pair of African lions was the reason for the man-slaughter in Tsavo, Kenya. They terrorized the railroad construction workers and killed 35 of them. However, one different thing is that some lions attack and eat humans to supplement their diet. Scientists still can’t figure out how consuming human flesh and bones enriches their daily intake of nutrients. What Are the Physical Differences Between Lions and Tigers? Tigers are the largest representatives of the feline family, …

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 …