ISTOCK
You may have seen tigers on Instagram reels or YouTube Shorts. But imagine walking through a forest so quiet you can hear every leaf crunch under your feet. Suddenly, you spot flashes of orange and black moving silently through the trees. Your heart skips a beat – it’s a tiger! With its powerful muscles, glowing eyes and unique stripes, the tiger feels almost magical, like a creature from a fantasy story that has come alive. But unlike the animals we see in films or books, tigers are real, and they are among the most fascinating and endangered creatures on our planet.
It is also the largest member of the cat family, strong enough to take down animals far bigger than itself. Unlike lions that live in prides, tigers prefer to live alone, quietly patrolling vast territories that can stretch for many kilometres. They are stealthy hunters, creeping through grass and forest with soft, padded paws before making a sudden, powerful leap on unsuspecting prey. Deer, wild boar and even water buffalo are no match for the tiger’s strength and sharp teeth. Each tiger’s stripes are completely unique, just like human fingerprints, and these markings help them blend into their surroundings as they stalk their next meal.
Although tigers once roamed freely across Asia, their world has shrunk dramatically over the last hundred years. Today, they are found only in a few countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and Indonesia. India is especially important, as it is home to more than 70 per cent of all wild tigers. These big cats have an incredible ability to adapt to different landscapes. The Siberian tiger survives in icy Russian forests where winters are bitterly cold, while the Sumatran tiger prowls through steamy rainforests. No matter where they live, tigers remain solitary creatures, only coming together briefly to mate.
When a tigress gives birth, usually to two to four cubs, she raises them all on her own. The cubs are born blind and helpless, and for the first few months their mother must guard them carefully against predators. As they grow, they follow her everywhere, copying her movements and learning how to hunt. By the time they are around two years old, they are ready to leave and find their own territory. Life is tough in the wild, and many cubs do not survive, but those that do become the next generation of powerful hunters.
Sadly, there are now only about 5,500 tigers left in the wild. Their biggest enemies are humans. Forests are being destroyed for farming, cities and roads, leaving tigers with nowhere to live. Poachers kill them for their skins, teeth and bones, which are sold illegally in some countries. Over the past century, three subspecies – the Bali, Javan and Caspian tigers – have disappeared forever. Yet, there is still hope. Many countries have created special reserves to protect these big cats. In India, parks like Jim Corbett and Bandhavgarh are home to growing tiger populations. Conservationists use camera traps, anti-poaching patrols and community education to protect both tigers and their forests. Thanks to these efforts, Nepal and India have seen a rise in tiger numbers in recent years, proving that humans can make a positive difference.
Tigers are far more than just beautiful animals. They are what scientists call a keystone species. If tigers thrive, it means their entire habitat is healthy. Protecting tiger forests also saves countless other animals, keeps rivers clean and even helps fight climate change. Tigers are part of our culture too – they appear in folk tales, sports mascots and national symbols. In India, the tiger is the national animal, representing power, courage and grace.
A tiger’s roar is so loud it can be heard from 3 km away – used to scare rivals or call mates.
They use urine, scratch marks, and even scent glands on their cheeks to claim their space in the forest.
That’s the weight of a 12-year-old child! Tigers can eat a huge meal after a successful hunt and then fast for days.
Their paws have a slight webbing between the toes, helping them move silently on land and swim efficiently in water.
Although tigers are mostly solitary, a group spotted together is called a streak or an ambush.
ISTOCK
Only a handful of these beautiful pale-golden tigers exist in captivity around the world.
ISTOCK
Their snowy fur and blue eyes come from a rare gene, not from being albino.