Why do tigers have brown stripes on their body?

Tigers don't actually have brown stripes, they have black stripes on an orange background. The orange color provides camouflage in the dense foliage of their forest habitats, helping them blend in with the dappled sunlight and shadows.

Here's why those black stripes are so important:

* Camouflage: The stripes break up the tiger's outline, making it harder for prey to spot them. They also create a "disruptive pattern," blurring the tiger's shape when they are moving through the undergrowth.

* Individual Recognition: Each tiger has a unique stripe pattern, similar to human fingerprints. This helps tigers recognize each other, especially important for mothers and cubs.

* Communication: Scientists believe the stripes may also play a role in communication, though the exact ways are still being studied.

So, while they might look brown in some lighting, tigers' stripes are actually black and serve a crucial role in their survival and social interactions.