Experience with Wild Cats

[peter]

Nice to meet you, Pantherinae. Good to read you work with big cats and have seen a number of wild cats as well. Please continue writing about your experiences, as we are very interested. 

Don't hesitate to write about your father as well, as there are not that many who have an interest in big cats. I agree with his remarks on weights. Many overestimate big cats.

This, however, doesn't mean 550 pounds or thereabout is the limit for a wild male in India. The two Nepal male tigers who bottomed a 600-pound scale were weighed by researchers and the one of which I saw a photograph, although long and muscular, didn't seem close to some of the Kazirangha tigers. Here he is:

*This image is copyright of its original author

 
Some time later, when he was darted again, the Sauraha male (as he was known) got into a pool and drowned. This is his skull:

*This image is copyright of its original author

 
Although individuals of that weight are few and far between, we can't rule out the possibility that some exceptional male Indian tigers, adjusted for food, would top 650 pounds or even a bit over. Reply