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.
(03-22-2018, 02:41 AM)brotherbear Wrote: I'm just curious Pckts about big cats that BIG. I don't doubt you about them, but I'm curious as to how they would stack up to tigers weighing from 400 to 500 pounds in their athletic abilities. How capable a hunter would an 800 pound tiger be? Obviously, capable to be surviving in the wilds of the preserve. Perhaps they hunt some large prey animal slower moving than deer or wild pigs such as buffalo or gaur?
It's a good question, I'd like to use Bears as a comparison.
Do you think a Kodiak is more or less athletic than a Grizzly from Yellowstone?
I don't believe they are, it really comes down to morphology, some animals within the same species will be more or less athletic just based off of limb length, weight distribution and genetics. Even humans can show these subtleties, two men standing 6'5'' and weighing 250lbs can have very different athletic capabilities.
In regards to prey choice, I find it hard to imagine that a large predator can hunt smaller prey, I assume they would need to pick prey animals that could sustain their massive size. But habitat may also play a role in prey selection, in Kaziranga for example, Tigers seem to enjoy the benefit of tall elephant grass and marsh lands to help with their predation, some Reserves in the Terai Arc may provide unusual benefits to hunting. I also think this has to do with some of the differences you see in Tadoba Tigers compared to Kanha Tigers. Tadoba is much more flat as well as hot and dry during the summer months compared to Kanha and the Tigers in Kanha generally seem to have a more muscular frame in comparison, maybe it has to do with the more elevated and harsh terrain, walking up steep hills may be an additional factor to a muscular appearance.