The supremacy of sundarban tigers
Bengal Tiger, the national animal
of India are royal, majestic and the apex predator of their domain. The tigers
of Sundarban, have some unique characteristics that make them different to
other tigers.
What are these traits?
Well, for starters the Royal
Bengal Tiger is the lightest of its kind. It’s body mass and fat levels are low
due to the fact that it has to hunt for its prey in the dense tidal forests of
Sundarban, with it’s maze of mangrove
roots, soft sticky mud and changing water levels every six hours. Consequently,
the tracking and chasing of its prey becomes difficult resulting in a very low
kill ratio. The force with which they strike tends to break the neck of their
prey. Holding on to the neck of the animal, starving it off breath, results in
asphyxiation of the prey animal.
These magnificent tigers have the
stamina and endurance to withstand long periods without food, thereby making it
lean. Surrounded by mangroves, they are known to be able to cross an expansive
river within a span of a few minutes and they seem comfortable hunting in water
too. To compensate for the difficult hunting conditions, these tigers use tact.
There are known instances of a tiger straggling up a tree to bring down a prey.
The coats of these tigers offer
them excellent camouflage which makes it possible to stalk prey before moving
in for the kill. Stealth is also an effective strategy for them. Despite their
size they are very powerful and can haul the carcass of the prey, which at
times may easily be more than their own weight.
Despite adversity, poaching, human
encroachment and intense climatic change, the Royal Bengal Tiger strives to
make it to the next day and this is commendable.
