Bengal Tiger: Habitat, Hunting & Striped Camouflage

The Bengal Tiger, commonly associated with the scientific name Panthera tigris tigris, is the best-known tiger of the Indian subcontinent. Its range includes a remarkable variety of landscapes, from tropical and subtropical forests to grasslands and mangrove wetlands.

Why every tiger has stripes

A tiger’s orange coat, dark vertical stripes and pale underside may look conspicuous in the open, but the pattern works differently inside tall grass and broken forest light. The stripes disrupt the outline of the body, helping the cat approach prey without being immediately recognized. Each tiger has its own stripe pattern.

A solitary big cat

Unlike lions, tigers usually live and hunt alone. Adults maintain home ranges that can overlap with those of other tigers, but most hunting is solitary. Scent marks, scratches and calls help individuals communicate without remaining together as a permanent group.

How Bengal Tigers hunt

Bengal Tigers are ambush predators. They rely on cover, patience and a close approach rather than a long-distance chase. Their prey varies by region and can include deer, wild pigs and other medium-to-large mammals. Powerful forelimbs and a flexible spine support short bursts of acceleration when a tiger commits to an attack.

Forests, grasslands and mangroves

The Bengal Tiger is not tied to one habitat type. Populations live in forested foothills, floodplain grasslands and the mangrove channels of the Sundarbans. Tigers are also strong swimmers and readily cross rivers or waterways where their habitat requires it.

From the field guide to Aves & Atlas

The Bengal Tiger’s striped coat and muscular silhouette are ideal subjects for detailed natural-history linework. Explore the Bengal Tiger T-Shirt, or discover more species in the Mammals collection.