10 Facts About Tigers You Probably Didn't Know

Tigers are from the cat family, but unlike their more domesticated cousins, tigers have a number of special traits and abilities that make them a unique fixture in the feline world.

Unless you’re an expert on tigers, there are several facts about them that you probably don’t know. Here are 10 amazing and less-known facts about the majestic tiger:

1. They Live for an Average of 25 Years

Tigers have an average lifespan of 25 years which is substantially higher than the average lifespan of house cats which is 15 years.

2. Tigers Are Born Blind and Many Cubs Don’t Survive

It is unfortunate but the idiom of “Survival of the Fittest” applies harshly to tiger cubs. Tigers are born blind and stay that way for more than a week after birth. They have to follow the scent of their mothers to survive, and those that are left behind, more often than not, don’t survive.

3. The Collective Name for Tigers in a Group

A pride of lions, a school of fish, a ___ of tigers? You probably didn’t know this, but the collective name for a group of tigers is a ‘streak’ or an ‘ambush’.

4. They Can Run at 60 km/hr

Tigers are pretty quick, and their running speed can go up to 60 km/hr for short distances.

5. Every Tiger Has Its Own Unique Set of Stripes

Like every human has a unique set of fingerprints, every tiger has its own unique set of stripes, and they have stripes on their fur as well as their skin.

6. Tigers Are Excellent Swimmers

Tigers love the water, and they are excellent swimmers. They are so good at it that they can even hunt in the water.

7. Tigers Are Mostly Solitary Animals

Tigers prefer a solitary life. They don’t move around in packs a lot and can often be found wandering the jungle alone.

8. Tigers Can Mate With Lions

You most probably didn’t know this. Tigers can mate with lions - more specifically, when a male tiger mate with a female lion, their offspring is called a Tigon, and when a male lion mate with a female tiger, their offspring is called a Liger.

9. They Don’t Roar Much

Movies and stories have created a misconception that tigers roar all the time. On the contrary, they rarely roar, except when they want to communicate with other tigers far away.

10. A Tiger’s Saliva Is a Disinfectant

Cats lick themselves to clean themselves, but Tigers’ saliva has disinfectant properties. They lick their wounds to disinfect them, thus preventing infections.

Tigers are really unique, and if you’d like to see tigers from a mere 10 ft away, book your day safari package in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve with Jharana Jungle Lodge.