- Coalitions: Male siblings form strong bonds and remain together even after reaching adulthood, forming a coalition. Coalations work together for hunting, territorial defense, and controlling female tigers.
- Mother-Cub Relationships: Female tigers raise their cubs alone. The cubs stay with their mothers for up to two years, learning hunting and survival techniques before becoming independent.
- Females and Territories: Female tigers establish and maintain individual territories that encompass good hunting areas and water sources. While there may be some overlap, females generally avoid areas frequently used by other females.
- Courtship and Mating: When a female is receptive, she may attract several male suitors. Through courtship, a dominant male establishes mating rights. These interactions can involve vocalizations, scent marking, and physical displays.
2. Interactions with Other Predators:
- Conflicts with Leopards: In habitats where both tigers and leopards coexist, there is a potential for conflict over shared resources. Tigers, being larger, often dominate and may occasionally prey upon leopards.
- Competition with Lions: In Asia, tigers and lions rarely share the same habitat, but where they do, there may be competition for food, territory, and dominance. Encounters can be intense, especially when both species pursue similar prey.
3. Tiger and Human Interactions:
- Predator-Prey Relationship: Tigers are natural predators and may occasionally hunt humans if their primary food sources are scarce or if they are injured or old. However, tiger attacks on humans are relatively rare compared to other big cats and occur mostly in areas of human encroachment on tiger habitats.
- Conflict with Livestock and Poaching: Tigers can prey on livestock, which sometimes creates conflict with local communities. Additionally, poaching poses severe threats to tiger populations. Tigers are hunted illegally for their fur, skin, teeth, and other body parts. This illegal trade drives significant conservation concerns and efforts.