The tiger is a large and graceful cat, one of the largest. The rarest tigers are Amur tigers.

Amur tigers

The largest are Amur tigers, which reach almost four meters in length and weigh 300 kilograms. By 1930, only 30 Amur tigers remained around the world, but thanks to the efforts of environmentalists, by the 20th century, their population was increased to 500 individuals.

Tiger food

The menu of predators is very diverse. They prey on deer, bulls, wild boars, and also are not averse to eating berries, fruits, or nuts. In hungry times, they can feed on various insects. They carry prey closer to the water. If the prey is large, then the predator can take breaks in order to get drunk, and then start again in the meal. Sometimes they stretch their lunch for several days. To eat, these cats must eat about 50 kilograms of meat. Tigers can also be cannibals, but such individuals are extremely rare.

Tiger disguise - color

Their skin serves as an excellent disguise. Bright stripes make him almost invisible in the bushes and grass, from which he watches his victim. Each subspecies has its own color, which depends on the characteristics of the environment. Black and orange color is much more pronounced among tigers that live in the tropics, their northern congeners cost more dull shades. Sometimes, as a result of a mutation, in tigers with a completely normal color, cubs with white fur, blue eyes and black-brown stripes are born.

Tiger hunt

When hunting, he uses his color to get to the victim as close as possible, and then rushes at it, with a quick jerk, biting his fangs into his throat. Just recently, scientists have found that tigers are able to hypnotize their prey by voice, sending low-frequency signals from which herbivores enter into a semblance of trance. For food, these cats go out most often under the cover of darkness. They do not tolerate the heat of the day very well, preferring to rest somewhere in the shade at this time. They love water, although they belong to the cat family. Each cat can swim, but, unlike them, only tigers willingly play and swim in water.

Tigers - clean cats

After the hunt, they put themselves in order, clean their claws of dirt, lick the fur. Lone tigers, although in the spring they can hunt with the female, this will not last long, only a few weeks. When they run away, the predator will again lead a stray lifestyle, marking a new area. All tigers have their own hunting area, which he guards vigilantly, preventing another male from settling nearby. Males rarely have a permanent den and spend the night near prey. Tigresses are looking for a suitable cave or hole for their offspring. It should be in a remote place to ensure the safety of the kids.

Tigresses and cubs

The female carries babies for about 4 months, after which from 1 to 5 cubs are born. Cubs are born not sighted and helpless, they weigh no more than one kilogram. The eyes of the cubs open after 6-10 days.After a year, they can already hunt themselves and kill small prey. The kids stay with the tigress for up to two years (sometimes even more), after which they leave and look for new territory.

Tigresses are excellent mothers. They take care of their babies, protecting them from any danger, and when they grow up, hunting lessons begin, which the cubs will remember for life.

Tigers live no more than twenty years, but with an increase in the onslaught of poachers for this species, the life span is noticeably reduced.