International Tiger Day: Mind-boggling facts about this ferocious animal
Let us raise a 'roar' to this day! July 29 is celebrated as International Tiger Day, organized to raise awareness about tiger conservation. Honoring the largest of the world's big cats, the day is also dedicated to protecting tigers and their natural habitats for safe and thriving growth in their global count. Let's familiarize you with some mind-boggling facts about this vicious carnivore.
Tigers love to swim and play in the water
Unlike most domestic and wild cats, tigers love to get drenched in water. They love to swim for hours. They can also hunt in water since they are taught to do so by tigresses when they were cubs. A report by Ranthambore National Park reveals that an adult tiger once swam for 30 km in just a single day!
Tiger cubs are born blind
Did you know that tiger cubs are born naturally blind? And this is the top reason why only a few survive and most of them die. As cubs can't see, they follow the scent of the mother tigers which helps them to survive. The unlucky of the lot either die of hunger and weather conditions or as a treat for their fathers.
A tiger can mate with other, big wild cats
As bizarre as it may sound, a tiger can mate with other big wild cats. Factually, a male tiger can reproduce with a female lion, and their offspring are called "Tigons." Tigons are the largest cat species in the world, even bigger than ligers which are born when a male lion mates with a female tiger. This crossbreeding is legal in many countries.
A tiger's saliva is antiseptic in nature
Yes, you read that right! Like that of domestic cats, a tiger's saliva is antiseptic as it is loaded with lysozyme enzymes, which offer relief from wounds and infections. This is why they lick themselves often when injured or down with some skin infection. Additionally, their tongue is long, sharp, and rough, covered with papillae (little bumps) that penetrate the deeper fur and skin.
Tigers do not consider humans as their prey
Tigers are shy and avoid humans as much as possible. In fact, they hide in bushes when they see patrolling guards. Attacks on humans occur mainly when tigers are injured, extremely hungry, facing habitat loss, or territory intrusion. Since they attack in ambush, people living in areas frequented by tigers wear a mask behind their heads to trick them.
