Tigers - Ecology & Habitat

At the top of the food chain

The habitat requirement of tigers are dense vegetation, the presence of large ungulate prey, and access to water. These felines inhabit such habitats as tropical rainforests, evergreen forests, mangrove swamps, grasslands, savannas, temperate forests and and rocky areas.

Social Structure
Tigers are mostly solitary, apart from mother-offspring associations. However, individuals living close to one another may display sociable behaviour and at times, and adults may even share a kill.

Life Cycle
Tigers generally gain independence at 2 years of age and attain sexual maturity at 3-4 years for females and at 4-5 years for males. Juvenile mortality is high however: about half of all cubs do not survive more than 2 years. Tigers have been known to reach the age of 26 in the wild.

Breeding
Although tigers can mate at any time, breeding is more frequent from November to April. On average, they give birth to 2 to 3 cubs every 2 to 2.5 years, sometimes 3 to 4 years; if they all die, a second litter may be produced within 5 months. Gestation is usually 104-6 days and births occur in a cave, a rocky crevice, or in dense vegetation.

Diet
Tigers are at the top of the food chain. Hunting primarily by sight and sound, their diet consists mainly of large mammals, such as pigs, deer, antelope, buffalo, and gaur. Smaller mammals and birds are occasional prey. Tigers have also been known to eat crocodiles, fish, birds, reptiles, and even other predators like leopards and bears. Their preferred and essential food however is ungulates - hoofed animals such as deer and wild pigs.

After eating its fill, the tiger may cover the remains with grass or debris and then return for additional meals over the next several days. A tiger can consume up to 40 kg of meat at one time, but individuals in zoos are given 5-6 kg per day.