Bengal tigers are a majestic species in the animal kingdom that any animal lover would love to know about. The curiosity to view these big cats must have propelled you to visit the safari zones in Ranthambore National Park or any other wildlife sanctuary. Watching the big cats in their natural habitat does seem like a dream come true, but how much do you know about them? If not, then join us in this blog as we bring some riveting facts about the striped big cats, starting with:
Habitat: Where do Bengal tigers prefer living in
Like humans, animals prefer to find a safe and suitable environment to live in with their mates and young ones. Bengal tigers live in mangrove swamps, lowland evergreen forests, tropical forests, grasslands with waterholes, and places with availability of large amounts of prey. They have incredible strength in coping with hot and cold conditions.
Physical strength and size
Bengal tigers are beautiful creatures with their striped coated fur that ranges from yellow to light orange and either brown or black stripes. Now, coming to physical strength, Bengal tigers are strong enough to take down their prey with their fatal blow and bite. They grow up to 10.5 ft long and weigh up to 650 pounds. One more important fact to know is that all tigers don’t have similar striped patterns. They have different markings.
Hunting tactic and diet: What do Bengal tigers feast on
Big cats are carnivore animals that feast on the flesh of herbivores, including antelopes, cows, buffaloes, wild pigs, and even animals larger than their size, like giraffes and camels. When they don’t find large prey to hunt, they then feed on small species like fishes, reptiles, dogs, monkeys, and even birds. Even though these big cats are nocturnal hunters, that does not mean they cannot hunt in daylight. Unlike lions, who hunt in groups, they do that without any companion.
In other words, tigers are lone hunters who ambush their prey from behind without their notice. They hunt by grasping the throat or breaking the spinal cord with one jerk, resulting in a painful death of prey. Even though it is tough for tigers to hunt down elephants because of their sheer size and power, they are opportunistic predators that target their vulnerable body parts, such as trunks and hindquarters. Bengal tigers are also adept swimmers who can swiftly catch their prey even in water. They go to the water to cool off and catch fish.
Lifespan of Bengal tigers
Bengal tigers usually live 15 years, but some unique examples of crossing this age limit exist. Machali, a legendary tigress in Ranthambore National Park, is one example who died at the age of 19. This is very rare because, by the time they reach the age of 15, they become fragile in taking down large animals. Some even die in territorial battles with other tigers or conflicts with humans.
Villagers poison these big cats because they seriously affect their livestock by hunting goats, buffaloes and cows. Measures are taken to avoid this conflict. One such is zoning, in which people are relocated far from the areas near the tiger habitats. The use of fencing in this has helped to some extent in reducing the man-animal conflict.
Top national parks for tiger sightings in India
To view Bengal tigers, there are top national parks to visit. These are:
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Ranthambore National Park is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries for viewing Bengal tigers at ten safari zones. Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, there are over 80 tigers today. There are many resorts near Ranthambore where it won’t take you time to reach the wildlife reserve.
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett National Park is another famous tiger reserve in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Named after hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, it is one of the oldest national parks for tiger viewing and 600 species of flora. The total number of Bengal tigers here is 260.
Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra
Tadoba National Park is among the top places in India where you can see the striped big cats. This is the largest forested expanse in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. Hilly terrains, grasslands, and deciduous forests make an ideal habitat for tiger viewing. There are around 115 Bengal tigers to spot in the buffer areas of this tiger reserve.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
When listing the places to experience tiger safaris, Bandhavgarh National Park in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh must be noticed. This national park’s landscape features rugged hills, bamboo groves, grasslands, and sal forests, making a perfect atmosphere for the tigers, around 70 – 75. It also houses 250 species of birds and 70 butterflies.
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Sariska is a famous tiger reserve in Alwar district in Rajasthan. Located in the world’s oldest mountain range, the Aravallis, this tiger reserve welcomes tourists to view a variety of natural attractions and, of course, wildlife. The wildlife region presents a high prey density for the majestic big cats, which number 43 as of June 11, 2024.
Best resort in Ranthambore
There are 5-star resorts in Ranthambore for your luxury stay to view tigers. Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, is one top option to consider here to escape from the humdrum of city life and experience the wilderness of Ranthambore. With its traditional and contemporary aesthetics, the resort features well-appointed rooms infused with modern amenities. All the rooms here have an inviting ambience and reflect understated elegance via thoughtful design.
Your stay has two lavish categories: a Luxury Room with a Plunge Pool and a Premium Room with an Aravalli View. There are other facilities to expect here, including the yoga session on request. For your gastronomic journey, there is Sawai Cafe, one of the top restaurants in Ranthambore, serving rich authentic Rajasthani food.
This sprawling restaurant lets you dine in an indoor and al-fresco area. The restaurant is captivating with its chequered black and white flooring, fabulous wooden work, and paintings on the wall. A well-appointed bar is opposite the restaurant with a selection of cocktails worldwide.
Final words
Bengal tigers play a pivotal role in the tourism of wildlife sanctuaries of the above mentioned states. They are the star attraction captivating the attention of tourists in Ranthambore National Park or any other wildlife reserve. Today, in this blog, we have mentioned some essential facts about the majestic creatures, including their habitat, diet, lifespan, and physical strength. We hope you like this blog helpful in brushing up your knowledge about these big striped cats dominating the animal kingdom.
Also read – https://www.bookmarkresorts.com/blogs/must-read-facts-about-the-tigers-of-ranthambore-national-park/
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