There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(07-30-2019, 05:02 AM)Shadow Wrote: But I would love to see how Thapar justifies that claim about 60 miles per hour.
As I say, tigers are not build for speed but for short rushes and explosive attacks. However, Valmik Thapar observed the hunting technique of the tiger "Genghis" were he just run directly to the deers and drived them to the water. I still don't have the book "Tiger, portrait of a predator" (still on its way to me), so I don't have the full details of his observations of this male tiger, but probably it was in those incredible fast rushes where he got the calculation of the 60 mph (96.6 kph)! I think that the case is an exception to the rule, as the maximum speed that I know for tigers is about 60 kph, which is about the same than lions. Jaguars, as far I know, had not been measured in its speed.
I have to say, that in this Thapar isn´t convincing. When looking at several studies about cheetah and knowing how fast it is compared to other big cats, in every way, that 60 mph doesn´t seem to be realistic. Might be wild guess in excitement when seeing a tiger hunting. I am sure, that there is no calculations, because when cheetah peaks in 59-64 mph depending about terrain and theoretical speed is 70-75 mph, that 60 mph for tiger, just not realistic. Slower animal just won´t peak in same speed as the fastest there is. But I can understand, that it can look like very fast, when seeing something fast to happen and getting excited.
But knowing, that lionesses and tigresses are approximately equal and both are like turtles, when comparing to cheetahs
Maybe there has been some error when writing that book and 60 kph has been printed as 60 mph.