Tiger Facts - Your Online Source for Information on Tigers
Little Known Tiger Facts
Incredibly powerful, great leaping abilities, massive paw strength and excellent swimmers; these tiger facts and more are descriptive of this largest of the “big cat” grouping to identify a creature most people only know by sight.
People in the United States are privileged only to view the magnificent tiger within the confines of a zoo enclosure or on animal focused television programs, since their native habitat is restricted to certain areas of the world. Once boasting widespread population, the tiger species has greatly diminished over the years, with three subspecies having become extinct. There are six existing subspecies still on the prowl; the Malayan, Bengal, Indochinese, South China, Sumatran and the Siberian. Of all tiger facts available, the most disconcerting is that of the number of tigers that are critically endangered at this time.
Unarguably the most recognized large cat in the world, the tiger has a striking appearance. Uniquely striped, each tiger has well over 100 stripes on their massive bodies. Their skin reflects the bands of color, which would repeat in exact pattern if the fur was lost and then grew back. This confirms one of the least known tiger facts; that the stripe pattern on a tiger could potentially be used to identify the animal in much the same manner as fingerprinting is used for humans.
Tigers are unrelenting and fierce hunters. Preferring a solitary lifestyle, the tiger uses their powerful jaws to attack the throat area of their prey, tenaciously holding on until the victim is strangled. Occasionally the huge paws, capable of crushing skulls and breaking backs, will be used in the fight. Powerful bodies that are used to hurtle through the air in great leaping feats are enough to bring down prey alone.
One of the most surprising tiger facts, perhaps, is that the tiger is an accomplished swimmer. Most of the cat species tend to shy from water, but tigers not only use the water in their hunting jaunts but also seem to genuinely enjoy using it for pleasure; cooling off in the heat of the day in pools of water.
The man eating tiger reputation is attributed to the fact that the tiger has killed more humans than any other cat species. Documented tiger facts show that the tiger has not developed a preference in humans over their normal prey of boar, deer, moose and elk, among others. Most cases of human kill by tigers are due to the aging of the cat, which renders them unable to bring down their normal catch. These creatures are hunted and killed to prevent the attacks from reoccurring. However, there are also increasing numbers of human attacks reportedly by the healthy tiger; facts of diminishing habitats bear out that the tiger is feeling threatened in their environments.
Many people see and are aware of tigers solely through zoo representation. Most never see past the bars holding these captive creatures to know the tiger facts of the cat in the wild, and get to know the truly magnificent creatures that tigers are.