HABITATS AND PREY

Perfect cover

Bengal tigers are adaptable cats and occupy a wide range of habitats, from grasslands, swamps and coastal mangroves to deciduous forest and jungle. Their main requirements are an ample supply of prey and densevegetation in which to stalk it.

Lean and mean

The swamps of the Sundarbans provide natural protection from humans. The Bengal tigers that live there are a little smaller and slimmer than those elsewhere - this is thought to be an adaptation to frequent swimming and to slightly smaller prey than is available to other tiger populations.

Habitats of the Bengal tiger

1. Coniferous forest, including woodland; ample cover, but also populated by humans.

2. Tropical forest and rainforest; destruction for farmland has had a devastating effect.

3. Mountains, highlands and scree slopes; availability of prey is the key challenge.

4. Coastal mangrove swamps, both above and below the waterline.

Bengal tigers can be found in Asia's coastal mangrove swamps.

Most hunted

Tigers take a wide variety of prey, but specialise in killing hoofed mammals such as deer, antelope and wild cattle. In the Sundarbans region, wild pigs make up a large proportion of their diet, and deer such as sambar and chital also feature heavily. In other areas, tigers even hunt gaur - massive cattle weighing up to 1,000kg.

DID YOU KNOW?

Well-hidden

The Bengal tiger's coatprovides excellent camouflage in a variety of habitats. The vertical black stripes break up the tiger's outline, making it difficult to spot as it moves through the light and shade of forests, grassland or reedbeds.