Tigers are the apex predator of the ecosystem in which they live. This means that tigers are not prey to any species (other than certain exploitative humans). What is so special about tigers? What makes them so untouchable? Tigers have several adaptations that allow them to be such incredible predators.
Coloration and Stripes
The tigers in the wild today will only be found with one coloration: dark orange with black stipes. This coloration is vital to their survival as it allows them to camouflage incredibly well. The majority of a tiger’s prey are going to be red-green colorblind. This means that when a tiger’s prey, such as a deer, is looking at a tiger, the orange appears green to them, allowing the tiger to blend in seamlessly with green vegetation. The stripes of a tiger serve a purpose as well. These stripes break up the body size of a tiger, allowing them to appear smaller as they hide, as well as breaking up the look of their bodies in the tall bamboo and grasses of their habitat.
When visiting TCWR, there are other colorations of tigers that can be seen, such as the golden tabby tigers and white tigers we have rescued. These colorations of tigers are not found in the wild and are a man-made creation for profit. Golden tabby tigers get the coloration of a perfectly toasted marshmallow from a genetic mutation that is brought out through inbreeding. These tigers lack the ability to camouflage well, and consequently would not be able to survive for very long in the wild.
The same is true for white tigers. White tigers are not albino tigers, Siberian tigers, or a specific subspecies of tiger. White tigers get their coloration from a recessive gene that, again, is brought out through inbreeding. These tigers would stick out to prey with incredible severity.
Golden tabby tigers and white tigers lack a necessary adaptation to be able to survive. However, orange tigers, with their dark orange fur and black stripes, are incredible at camouflaging, lending to their title as apex predator.
Ear Spots
Every tiger has white spots on the back for their ears. These spots act as false eyes. They help to deter any animal (mainly other territorial tigers) from attacking from behind. A tigress will have additional uses for these spots. They allow her cubs to easily follow her, as well as using them to communicate with her cubs as they follow behind.
Teeth and Claws
The most dangerous tools a tiger has are its teeth and claws. Both are strong and sharp. Tigers have the largest canine teeth of all the cat species. These teeth allow them to bite down on their prey with incredible force and enable them to keep the prey in their grasp until the prey can no longer attempt to escape. These teeth also have pressure-sensing nerves throughout, allowing a tiger to determine exactly what the most lethal placement of its teeth is. Tigers also have teeth adapted to shred and cut meat, which is all their diet consists of.
Tigers’ claws are retractable. This means that the claws are stowed in their paws until the paws are flexed, exposing the dangerous claws. The retractability of a tiger’s claws serves two important purposes. It allows the claws to stay sharp and ready for attack at any time, as well as allowing for quiet steps while stalking prey.
Mimicking
Although there is little recorded evidence, it is thought and supported by first hand accounts that tigers can mimic the sounds of their prey. In the wild they will mimic deer mating sounds to draw their prey in closer and have an easier time hunting. The deer are lured in and ambushed.
In captivity, tigers don’t have to hunt for food, so they just tend to mimic their neighbors instead.
Tongue
Tiger tongues have hooks on the surface called papillae. Experts believe these papillae serve multiple functions. Tigers use them to grip fur and spread saliva for grooming, as well as to scrape meat off the bones of their prey.
Whiskers
Whiskers are also known as vibrissae. According to Mirriam-Webster, vibrissae are “the stiff hairs that are located on the face and especially about the snout of many mammals and typically serve as tactile organs.” Whiskers are highly sensitive and can detect slight changes in the environment such as airflow or feeling physical objects. They help tigers to further understand their surroundings. Whiskers are particularly helpful in low-light conditions, when a tiger’s surroundings are not as visible. A tiger can also use their whiskers to subtly communicate.
Vision and Hearing
Tigers tend to hunt in the evenings. This can be a difficult task in the dark. However, tigers’ eyes have a high concentration of rod cells, which are very sensitive to low light. A tiger’s night-time vision is significantly better than the night-time vision of a human.
Tigers are an incredible species and possess a number of traits and adaptations that aid in being the apex predators of the ecosystems in which they live. Come visit Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge to learn even more!
Sources:
https://www.lionstigersandbears.org/the-art-of-camouflage-in-the-tigers-world/
https://tigers.panda.org/news_and_stories/stories/wwfs_top_10_facts_about_tigers/
https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/tiger/characteristics/
https://xploreourplanet.com/land/tiger-facts
https://biofriendlyplanet.com/tiger-tongue/
https://hu.gatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Hu18_tongue_review.pdf
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibrissa
https://www.turpentinecreek.org/vibrissae-why-do-cats-have-whiskers-and-what-is-their-purpose/
https://www.lionstigersandbears.org/how-tigers-navigate-their-world-after-dark/
*Published by Danika Torgersen on 2/15/2025*