One aspect 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 favoured 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. The tigers which do this are often termed 'cattle-lifters', but it's unlikely you'll see any sign of the practice while on a tiger safari.
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, will turn into 'man-eaters'. It's not a circumstance to worry about on a professional and well-run tiger safari. However, if you're visiting the Sundarbans area of India, beware - healthy tigers have been known to prey upon fishermen and villagers, and humans have often become part of a tiger's diet.
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.
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