The tiger (Panthera tigris) is one of the world’s largest and most powerful apex predators. As obligate carnivores, tigers require a consistent intake of meat, primarily from large-bodied animals, to meet their massive metabolic demands. Their distribution across Asia, from the Russian Far East to the tropical jungles of India, necessitates securing substantial, high-calorie meals. This fundamental need for large prey drives the tiger’s behavior and defines its interactions with human settlements.
Tigers and Livestock: Defining Depredation
The direct answer to whether tigers eat cows is yes; domestic livestock, particularly cattle, buffalo, and goats, are frequently preyed upon where tiger territories intersect with human activity. This behavior is termed “livestock depredation,” a significant aspect of the human-wildlife conflict across the tiger’s range. It is common in regions with high human and tiger densities, such as areas surrounding protected reserves in India and Nepal.
In a study around India’s Corbett Tiger Reserve, cows were the main victim in 75% of recorded depredation incidents. While livestock is not the preferred food source, it represents an accessible protein alternative when wild prey is difficult to find. The targeting of domestic animals highlights the spatial and resource overlap between the big cats and local communities, creating a persistent conservation challenge.
The Preferred Wild Diet
When operating within healthy habitats, the tiger’s diet centers on large wild ungulates, which are hoofed mammals. Staple prey consists of species like Sambar deer, Chital (spotted deer), Gaur (Indian bison), and wild boar. These animals are large enough to provide a substantial meal that can sustain the solitary predator for several days.
The typical prey size targeted by a tiger is substantial, with studies indicating an average prey weight of around 91.5 kilograms. The tiger employs a solitary, ambush-hunting strategy, relying on stealth and camouflage to approach prey before launching a short, powerful attack. This method is highly effective on wary, fast-moving wild animals, with the tiger aiming for a swift kill by biting the neck or throat.
Factors Driving Livestock Predation
The shift in diet from wild ungulates to domestic livestock is driven by ecological and human-related pressures that disrupt the tiger’s natural hunting patterns. One primary cause is the accelerating process of habitat fragmentation and encroachment by human populations. As human settlements expand and agricultural land pushes closer to forest edges, tiger territory shrinks, forcing them into closer proximity with villages and their domestic animals.
A second major factor is the depletion of the wild prey base within the tiger’s habitat. When natural prey populations decline—often due to poaching or human activity—tigers must seek alternative, easier food sources. Livestock, in contrast to wild prey, are often poorly guarded, tethered, or possess a diminished flight instinct against large predators, making them a relatively easy target.
The relative ease of capture provides a strong incentive for a tiger facing food scarcity to deviate from its natural diet. A wild Sambar deer is highly alert and difficult to stalk, whereas a grazing cow or buffalo may be found in open areas with minimal defense. This deviation often leads to severe human-wildlife conflict, as the loss of livestock represents a significant economic burden for local farmers. The resulting financial hardship can lead to retaliatory killings, where villagers illegally poison or trap the offending tiger to protect their livelihoods.