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TERRITORIES:
Tigers are solitary animals who establish territories. A territory will range between 10 and
30 square miles. The Siberian tigers territory can be as large as 120 square miles. The
female tiger has her own dominion, but her range tends to be much smaller than those of the
males. The territory of a male will often overlap several female territories. What determines
the size of a territory, is the density of prey. If prey is abundant in an area, the territories
are much smaller. Tigers communicate with scents and sounds. A mixture of urine and scent
gland secretions are sprayed on bushes. They will urinate or leave droppings in prominent
places. Tigers will also scratch trees, like your cat would scratch a scratching post.
These are different ways that a tiger will mark its territory. DID YOU KNOW?? Tigers cannot
purr, they can only roar!
THE HUNT:
Tigers do not like being exposed in open country for very long periods of time. They are
often regarded as cautious hunters, because they hunt by stealth. Tigers are known as being
ambush hunters! They will stalk their prey, getting as close as they can to the rear before
making their final charge. They suffocate their prey by attacking the throat and gripping it
until the prey is killed. On smaller prey, they will sever the spinal cord. Tigers are nocturnal
hunters, which means that they usually hunt at night. Rather than using a sense of smell to hunt
with, tigers use their sight and hearing. Tigers will often attack their prey in water. Being as
powerful as they are and such agile swimmers, they are able to swim carrying 3 times their
weight.
Tigers may travel 15 to 20 miles during one night of hunting. Although the tiger prefers
larger prey, it will take a smaller meal. They can consume as much as 60 pounds of meat in a
single feeding. Often a tiger will gorge itself on a large kill and not eat again for several
days. The food that is not consumed, they will cache by concealing it under loose vegetation
and will return to it over several days. Did you know?? Unless cornered or greatly provoked,
tigers will avoid confrontations with elephants, large buffalo, and bears. In these battles,
they are frequently beaten.
SIZE:
Tigers, depending on their subspecies, can weigh up to 700 pounds. Their head and body
lengths are between 55 and 110 inches and their tails are about one-half as long as their
body. Tiger tails can be between 22 and 38 inches long. DID YOU KNOW?? Tigers are the
largest member of the cat family!
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