Question

What does the tiger do when he is not worried about his meals

Answer 1

All tigers are dangerous, even a well-fed captive tiger with a full stomach. Regardless of how he is kept, a tiger is never, ever to be considered tame, nor is he anyone's “pet”, no matter WHAT their “owner” may claim. Because of his lack of predictability, a tiger is always dangerous.

As all subspecies of tigers are endangered , anything that allows for understanding of these great predators helps conservation efforts. We can learn from captive tigers, but we must be realistic when it comes to their nature.

Yes, a full -tummy tiger may be a bit slower and lazier, but he has a natural instinct to hunt and to protect his territory, so any outside interference entering his turf could provoke an attack. A tiger who appears sleepy and relaxed can become alert and aggressive in seconds.

The overall health benefits from a steady supply of food also do not discourage this instinct; rather, they just make for a stronger, larger, more efficient predator.

The tigers I worked with were more animated and agitated around feeding time, so we separated each one of them into their own cage to prevent territorial brawls over food, and we were very careful not to go in the cages with them until they were finished with their meal. Any scraps they missed were swept away before I entered their enclosures. Bad idea to find yourself between a tiger and his leftovers, however small they may be.

Tigers do not like to be watched while they eat; I don't approve of zoos that exploit their behavior by allowing public “feeding times”. They are usually going to get more and more protective of their food as people gather around to gawk, thereby causing undue stress on the cats. Done daily, it isnt very humane, and I hope more zoos eliminate or limit this practice from their exhibits.

A growling, snarling, and barking tiger -clutching but not eating his dinner because of the focus on him - that's not entertainment, that's just cruel ignorance. THAT makes for an exceptionally dangerous tiger, who will become increasingly aggressive long after he settles down to eat and his tummy has grown full.

My advice? Admire tigers and promote awareness of conservation issues, speak up when visiting zoos or venues when you think the captive animals are in distress ( at least ask questions of the handlers, anyone with the best interests of the animals in mind will be patient and happy to answer) and, lastly - don't trust tigers, ok? They are always, always dangerous, full or hungry, fat or thin, wild or captive. Observe from safe areas and at appropriate times, and you won't have to worry about that particular danger threatening you.