The tiger, Panthera tigris, is the largest cat species and a solitary apex predator across Asia’s diverse forest and grassland ecosystems. As an obligate carnivore, its survival depends entirely on consuming meat, reflecting the local wildlife abundance. The tiger targets large-bodied animals that provide maximum caloric return for the energy spent hunting. Its vast range, from the Russian Far East to the tropical jungles of Sumatra, requires an adaptable dietary strategy built upon a core preference for substantial prey species.
The Core Diet of Large Prey
The vast majority of a tiger’s diet consists of large ungulates, which are hoofed mammals that supply the biomass necessary to sustain a predator of its size. Tigers primarily target prey animals that weigh between 100 and 1,000 kilograms, with the average kill weighing approximately 91.5 kilograms. This preference for large animals is a matter of efficiency, as a single successful hunt can provide food for several days.
In the Indian subcontinent, primary food sources include the massive Sambar deer, the spotted Chital deer, and Wild boar. Wild boar often form a significant portion of the consumed biomass due to their abundance. The largest prey successfully hunted are adult Gaur, the largest species of wild cattle, and Water Buffalo, which can exceed 1,000 kilograms in weight.
The size of the typical kill varies based on the tiger’s sex and experience. Large adult males are more likely to successfully take down the largest prey, such as mature Gaur or Buffalo. Females and sub-adults often focus on medium-sized deer or younger megaherbivores.
Opportunistic and Secondary Food Sources
While large ungulates are the dietary staple, tigers display flexibility when primary prey is scarce. They opportunistically consume a variety of smaller mammals, reptiles, and birds to supplement their calorie intake. These secondary items are not sufficient for long-term sustenance but help fill nutritional gaps.
Smaller prey items include monkeys, hares, porcupines, and rodents. Tigers also prey on reptiles like monitor lizards and occasionally take on pythons or crocodiles. The consumption of fish and aquatic birds is noted, particularly in wetland environments like the Sundarbans.
Tigers also engage in scavenging. They may steal a carcass from smaller predators or feed on animals that died naturally. In fragmented habitats, tigers sometimes prey on domestic livestock, such as cattle, goats, and horses, which are easily accessible alternatives to wild ungulates.
Hunting Strategy and Methods
The tiger is a solitary hunter, relying on stealth and camouflage rather than pack strategy or sustained pursuit to secure its meal. Hunting is leveraged through an ambush technique, requiring the tiger to get as close as possible to the unsuspecting prey without being detected. Stalking often involves utilizing dense vegetation and natural terrain features to break up its outline.
The final attack is a short, explosive rush, typically covering no more than 20 to 30 meters. This burst of speed is combined with a powerful leap that uses the tiger’s body weight and massive forelimbs to knock the prey off balance. The claws, which are up to four inches long, secure a grip on the struggling animal.
The method of the kill depends on the size of the prey. For smaller animals, the tiger delivers a rapid bite to the back of the neck, aiming to sever the spinal cord. When tackling large ungulates like a Gaur or Buffalo, the tiger employs a suffocating throat hold. The tiger maintains this clamp over the prey’s windpipe until the animal expires.
Once the kill is made, the tiger uses its strong neck and shoulder muscles to drag the carcass to a secure, concealed location. The tiger then feeds on the kill over several days, sometimes covering the remains with soil and leaves to protect it from scavengers. A single adult tiger needs to make a large kill about once a week to meet its dietary requirements.
Geographical Variation in Prey Selection
Prey selection is highly dependent on the local ecosystem, leading to distinct dietary profiles across the tiger’s remaining range. The specific species consumed change based on which regional fauna are most abundant and most easily hunted. This adaptability ensures the tiger can thrive in vastly different ecological zones.
In the tropical jungles and moist deciduous forests of India, the Bengal tiger’s diet is heavily reliant on Sambar, Chital, and Wild Boar, as these species maintain high population densities. In the northern forests of the Russian Far East, the Amur tiger adapts its diet to cold-weather species. Primary prey includes larger animals such as Manchurian Sika Deer, Wild Pig, and sometimes Moose, which provides the energy reserve needed to survive harsh winters.
Further south, the smaller Malayan and Sumatran tigers exist where large ungulate populations are naturally lower. Their diet includes smaller deer species, such as Barking Deer, and occasionally Malayan Tapirs. In these habitats, their diet is more flexible, incorporating a higher percentage of smaller prey and increased instances of eating fish or reptiles.