One feature of tigers that has
proven endlessly fascinating is their hunting behaviour. Tigers have a vast
array of skills and characteristics that have helped them rise to become one of
the most fearsome predators in the world, and their reputation has transcended
local myth, and even popular media, to become almost legendary. On a tiger
safari, a tiger actively engaged in hunting is a rare sight, though often the
results of such hunts are more apparent.
Wild tigers often feed on larger
animals, the exact species of which is usually determined by their geographical
location. For example, in India the tiger's favored prey is buffalo and
water buffalo, while in Siberia a tiger will often feed on moose, wild boar,
and deer. Like many predators, however, tigers are opportunistic, and have been
known to take advantage of smaller prey when they can be found.
Types of Prey
There is a wide variety of
animals that fall into the category of potential tiger prey up to and including elephants. While adult
elephants are too large for a tiger to successfully prey upon, conflicts
between elephants and tigers have been known to occur. Tigers do possess the
ability to hunt larger animals, and young elephants and rhino calves have been
known to fall victim to a tiger attack. Tigers have also been known to prey on
domesticated animals such as dogs, cows, horses, and donkeys. Where tigers live
close to human populations, there is always a risk that old tigers, or those
wounded and unable to pursue and catch their natural prey,
Nocturnal
Tigers are nocturnal predators,
making it rare to see them actively hunting in the daytime on a tiger safari.
They hunt alone, and rely on a swift ambush to overpower their prey. Although
tigers lack the relative stamina of other big cats for an extended chase (such
as leopards), their bodily size and strength means they can knock larger prey
off balance. These two factors lead to a hunting style that requires stealth,
and the necessity for tigers to get close to their prey before breaking cover.
The Kill
When hunting large prey, a tiger’s
method of killing is lethally efficient. Tigers bite the throat of large
animals, and use their powerful forelimbs to hold on, bearing it to the ground.
The tiger remains latched on at the neck until the creature dies, not of blood
loss, but strangulation. With smaller prey, the tiger relies on its powerful
bite strength, often severing the spinal cord, piercing the windpipe, or
severing the carotid artery of their prey.
