There are eight varieties of tigers. Although all look much alike, there are differences in their stripe markings. The Bengal and heavily furred Siberian tigers (the two kinds most often seen in zoos) are the largest. Some measure 10 feet or more from their noses to the tips of their tails and weigh as much as 550 pounds. There are smaller tigers in India, Turkey, Iran, China, Japan, Java and Sumatra.
Tigers’ coats give them their beauty, with black and orange stripes circling their bodies and long white-tipped tails. But a close-up look at their faces, with glaring eyes and open mouths with sharp fangs, makes them rather scary, especially if a rasping snarl comes out! They are not friendly with other tigers, unless it’s a member of their own family.
It is easy to see that they are related to the domestic cat you may have in your home. Both of them have loose fur, small ears, long whiskers and sharp claws that are hidden when walking or resting but are extended as sharp weapons when fighting or capturing an animal.
Tigers are well camouflaged by the stripes on their coats when in a forest, swampy area or desert that has tall, dry grass. By instinct they take advantage of this when hunting. For example, when a tiger is in an area where it is camouflaged and spots a zebra or other animal nearby, the tiger will immediately stop. It may lie perfectly still for an hour or more, until, carefully and soundlessly, it creeps closer.
If nothing betrays the tiger’s presence, it will continue its silent approach until close enough to attack. Then suddenly, darting out of its hiding place, it leaps on the victim and, with a bite of its powerful jaws, quickly ends its victim’s life. Then it might call its mate to join in the feast. They may take two or three days to eat a large animal. Their stomachs will then be so full that they won’t be interested in hunting for another three or four days.
Do you think the Lord God, the Creator, knows what these beasts are doing? Yes, He surely does, and it seems He often directs them to a weak or sickly animal that would only suffer in continuing to live with its handicap. Its sudden death is really a merciful way of ending its life, since tigers never torture their prey—they kill it quickly. We will consider this more in next week’s issue. Meanwhile, think about the Bible verse that tells us: “[God looks] to the ends of the earth and [sees] under the whole heaven [sky]” (Job 28:2424For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; (Job 28:24)). He looks on you with love and kindness.
(to be continued)
ML-08/13/2017