TigerApril 02, 2014 – Easily recognized by its coat of reddish-orange with dark stripes, the tiger is the largest wild cat in the world. The big cat's tail is three feet long. On average the big cat weighs 450 pounds, about the same as eight ten-year-old kids. It stands three feet tall with teeth four inches long and claws as long as house keys. A female tiger gives birth to a litter of three or four cubs, who she will care for until they are a year-and-a-half old. These cubs quadruple in size during their first month! The powerful predator generally hunts alone, able to bring down prey such as deer and antelope. Tigers wait until dark to hunt. The tiger sprints to an unsuspecting animal, usually pulling it off its feet with its teeth and claws. If the prey animal is large, the tiger bites its throat to kill it; smaller prey is usually killed when the tiger breaks its neck. Tigers have been known to eat up to 60 pounds of meat in one night, but more often they consume about 12 pounds during a meal. It may take days for a tiger to finish eating its kill. The cat eats until it's full, and then covers the carcass with leaves and dirt. The tiger comes back to feed some more. Tigers live far apart from each other. A tiger knows if it is in another tiger’s territory based on the trees around him. Each tiger marks the trees in its area with urine and special scratches. Unlike most members of the cat family, tigers seem to enjoy water and swim well. Some tigers live where it gets very cold—in India and parts of southeast Asia. The whole species is endangered throughout its range. Tigers have been overhunted for their fur as well as for other body parts that many people use in traditional medicines. Tigers' habitat has also dwindled seriously as humans have developed land for uses such as farming and logging. However, in the Siberian region of Russia, there’s hope that these big cats are making a comeback. Because of their size, strength, and predatory skills, tigers are considered one of the “big cats.” Lions, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars are also part of this grouping. Tiger stripes are special to each individual, and their tails help them to keep their balance. The big cats share all but 4.4% of their DNA with domestic cats. Take the big cat quiz to see how much you know about these fierce felines. Then, just for fun, see which wild cat you’re most like with our personality quiz.
Sand Tiger SharkMarch 01, 2014 – Sand tiger sharks are also known as sand tigers and gray nurse sharks. Like all sharks, they breathe underwater, through their gills. But sand tigers have one unique habit. They are the only sharks that come to the surface to gulp air, but not to breathe. The air ends up in its stomach. The air makes the shark more buoyant, so it can float motionless in the water as it watches for prey. Sand tigers generally hunt at night; just above the ocean floor. Sand tiger sharks like the shallow water close to shore and so have "sand" in their name. The "tiger" was inspired by their big appetite. Sand tiger sharks look ferocious, with a row of jagged teeth that you can see even when their mouths are closed! However, these fish are not very aggressive toward people and bother people only when people bother them first. Many aquariums keep sand tiger sharks in their shark exhibits because they're so impressive looking and survive well in captivity. On the top of its body, a sand tiger is brownish-gray and often sprinkled with darker spots. Its belly is whitish. Some kinds of sharks lay eggs; others, like the sand tiger, give birth to live young called pups. A newborn can swim and eat right away. When young their main danger is bigger sharks, but once they grow to their full size, they no longer have major predators to worry about.
Doggy Defenders: Tiger the Police DogMay 29, 2019 – Meet Tiger, a police dog that keeps people safe. Check out the photo gallery and video below to learn all about this hero dog.
5 reasons why tigers are terrificJuly 23, 2015 – Tigers are unlike any other feline. Discover what makes them stand out from the rest of the cat crowd.
Little Kids MagazineDecember 12, 2019 – Check out snowy owls, tigers, penguins, games, and more for your young ones in the current issue of National Geographic Little Kids magazine on sale October 29. Parents, subscribe to the magazine!
Moment of JoyJanuary 19, 2016 – Come on, get happy! Click through the gallery to see heartwarming photos of puppies, elephants, hippos, and more.
5 Reasons WhyWhy are tigers awesome? Why are sloths so super? We answers these burning questions and more in this cool department.
Moment of Brr!December 17, 2015 – Feeling chilly? Let this adorable gallery warm you up. From belly-surfing otters to diving foxes, these animals are truly cool.
Share your opinion!May 06, 2020 – We’re testing new covers for an upcoming issue of the magazine. Which tiger cover do you prefer?
Little Kids MagazineOctober 21, 2019 – Check out snowy owls, tigers, penguins, games, and more for your young ones in the current issue of National Geographic Little Kids magazine on sale October 29. Parents, subscribe to the magazine!
Moment of Oops!September 03, 2015 – From stuck squirrels to clumsy cats to fumbling frogs, we’ve rounded up ten silly animals that were probably thinking, Oops!
Big catsMay 28, 2019 – Do you know the facts on big cats? Find out with this fun quiz about some of nature's fiercest felines! Out of the 37 species of cats, some reign supreme. Because of their size, strength, and predatory skills, these cats are considered the “big cats.” Get facts and photos about tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars.
Mountain LionOctober 27, 2014 – The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. This cat can be found throughout much of South and North America. The mountain lion used to be found all over the United States, but now is primarily seen in the western U.S. An endangered subspecies of mountain lion also remains in Florida. These felines are comfortable in many different habitats and, aside from humans, have the widest geographic range of any land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. In North America, mountain lions eat mainly deer, but they also eat smaller animals, such as mice and rabbits. These cats have a poor sense of smell, but have excellent vision and hearing that help them hunt in the early morning and evening hours. Their powerful hind legs enable them to jump as far as 40 to 45 feet (12 to 13 meters). This carnivore stalks its prey until an opportunity arises to pounce. Mountain lions “cache” their prey, or hide it under leaves and soil, where they can come back and feed on it over the course of several days. Mountain lions don’t roar, but females have a loud scream, which is believed to attract males. Females have an average of two to four cubs per litter and give birth in a den. The cubs are born with spots, which usually disappear by the time they are roughly nine months old. Their eyes also change from blue to yellow by the time they reach 16 months old. By 18 months, the young cats leave their mom to go fend for themselves. Because of their size, strength, and predatory skills, mountain lions are considered one of the “big cats.” Tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and jaguars are also part of this grouping. Take the big cat quiz to see how much you know about these fierce felines. Then, just for fun, see which wild cat you’re most like with our personality quiz.