Tigers (Panthera tigris) are the largest and the heaviest of the big cat family. The name ‘Tiger’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Tigris’, meaning ‘arrow’, which itself may have been originated from Persian, symbolizing the animal’s speed. They are mainly found in South and East Asia, and a sub-species called theSiberian Tigers in Eastern Siberia. The fact that they are solitary animals needing vast landscapes to prey and that they are found in some of the most populous countries have led to their decreasing count.
A group of tigers is a rare sight, as they are solitary animals, but when seen is called an ‘ambush’. Their strength, stripes and speed has charmed men from time immemorial and has been included in our ancient mythologies. Their stripes are unique to them; the pattern and density of the stripes differs from tiger to tiger; the colour of the stripes too varies from brown to pure black. These mainly serve as camouflages; helping them to hide, blend with the surrounding landscape and hunt down their preys. This sort of hunting is called ambushing the prey.
India is known as the ‘land of Tigers’. One of the eight sub-species, the Bengal Tiger/ Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in the parts of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Burma.
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