Tigers: 100 Illustrated Fun Facts

Do you know that?

Tigers are the biggest cats in the world.

Tigers are an endangered species; only about 5,000 to 7,400 tigers are left in the wild.

There are a greater number of tigers in captivity in the US alone than there are wild tigers left on earth.

Tigers prefer to hunt large prey by ambush. If you look at a tiger, it is less likely to attack, as it has lost the element of surprise. In some locations in India, people traditionally wear a mask on the back of their head while walking through forests to prevent tigers from pouncing from behind.

Tigers are very adaptable in their hunting techniques. Although they prefer to kill by attacking the neck, they do not do so when they recognize it is inappropriate. A large crocodile might bite down on a swimming tiger, which will immediately blind the reptile by striking it in the eyes. A crocodile’s neck is covered with thick amored skin, so the tiger will instead flip the animal over and eviscerate its soft belly.

Siberian tigers are the heaviest subspecies at 500 or more pounds (225 kg), with males heavier than females. The lightest subspecies is the Sumatran; males weigh about 250 pounds (110 kg) and females around 200 pounds (90 kg).

Tiger stripes are like human fingerprints; no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes.

Tiger cubs are born blind and weigh only about 2 to 3 pounds (1 kg), depending on the subspecies. They live on milk for 6-8 weeks before the female begins taking them to kills to feed. Tigers have fully developed canines by 16 months of age, but they do not begin making their own kills until about 18 months of age.

To show happiness, tigers squint or close their eyes. This is because losing vision lowers defense, so tigers (and many other cats) only purposefully do so when they feel comfortable and safe.

Tigers can sprint at over 60km/h for short distances.

As you read this book over and over to your child it won't be long before they are the ones pointing to the picture and telling you what it is. The author Katy Gleit wrote this book for her own two grandchildren Dani and Deia: In "Tigers: 100 Illustrated Fun Facts " your children are given a well-selected knowledge along with entertaining information about these amazing creatures. In addition, a set of wonderful pictures show exactly what a tigers looks like.