The Relationship Between Tigers And Their Habitat

Many of those who, following their dream to see a wild Tiger, travel to the Indian subcontinent, are wowed not only by the wildlife but also the landscapes. The two are intricately linked, and certain features of the landscape are key to the animal's activities. Read on to learn more about the relationship between the Bengal Tiger and various features of its environment.

Forests and Trees

The way Tigers interact with forest environments changes; Bengal Tigers are often depicted as fierce, solitary and serious animals, and they can be all of these things, but they are also adventurous and playful especially when young. In early life, the world in which cubs find themselves is full of things to investigate and explore, and doing so on outings with their mother allows them to gain a sense of the environment that will provide their home and hunting grounds throughout their lives. It may be for this reason that, although when fully grown they rarely climb trees, cubs are keen climbers not only is this a skill that can be used to hunt during their early life, it also leaves them with a more complete knowledge of their surroundings. Thus, although for the Tiger, travel along the ground is more common, climbing is a skill they can call on if necessary. In adult life, however, trees play another role for them, as posts that they can mark by scratching or by scent to define the boundaries of their territory.

Water

It is a well-documented fact that these are water-loving cats, with rivers providing little obstacle to a fully-grown Tiger. Travel, for the species, is mostly done on foot, but they will also swim when necessary. Strong swimmers, they are capable of crossing rivers of up to eight kilometres, while in parts of southern India they spend a lot of their time in the waters of their coastal mangrove habitat.

Their love of water serves a practical purpose, as it helps to keep them cool during the heat of the day they will often soak themselves in a river or pool for an hour, and then allow themselves to dry off, which also produces a cooling effect as the water evaporates, before returning to the water to start the cycle again. Unlike the instinct to explore, however, this behaviour must be taught by a mother, and cubs are often reluctant until their mother has enticed them or, in some cases, simply picked them up and dunked them into the water several times. Once they are used to this, she begins teaching them to swim. Once a cub grows into a mature Tiger, travel across Indias varied terrain is an easy task, and they will be able to roam and hunt with ease both on land and in water.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If youre looking for Tiger travel, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to to wildlife tours to some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/The-Relationship-Between-Tigers-And-Their-Habitat/4580789

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