Tiger Predation

[TigrisLeo504]

A research on tiger’s prey species in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary reveals that the main preys are ungulates such as; bantengs, sambar, muntjac, gaur and wild pig. And most of them are adults (Simcharoen, 2000). Whereas, some of them are also the prey species of leopard, the leopard prefer juvenile or subadult (Simcharoen, 2003).

From the hunting behavior study found that tigers mostly grab and bite their prey on neck until it die. To bite on neck keeps them safe from the prey’s antlers and hooves (Karanth, 1995). After the prey died, the tiger will drag to eat at a safe place. Normally, tiger hunts large prey. The experienced adult tiger hunts carefully and in the case may cause the least injury (Schaller, 1976).

A tiger requires about 54 ungulates each year. Tiger feeds around 18 - 40 kg in each time, starts from hip of the prey. Without interruption, it will take 3 - 6 days to finish (Sunquist, 1981). In India, it is reported that a single female hunts every 8 - 8.5 days. As Schaller (1967) had studied and monitored tigers’ behavior in the wild, he found that from the 12 times of their attempt, only one is successful.

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https://thailand.wcs.org/Wildlife/Tiger-and-Prey.aspx Reply