In the late afternoon the tiger starts its silent hunt for prey, and may cover 30km or more in a night. Its sharp eyesight and sensitive hearing guide it to likely prey. Having located its victim, the tiger begins a slow, silent stalk. Its striped coat provides perfect camouflage in the forest and grasslands. Suddenly, like the release of a coiled spring, the tiger leaps forward in long bounds and lands on its victim.
Tigers also lurk near water holes or game tracks to ambush passing animals.
As well as larger prey, tigers eat rodents, birds, porcupines, frogs, and fish. Tigers usually avoid humans, but may kill if taken by surprise when resting, or when a tigress is defending her cubs. They seldom eat people except when injured and unable to hunt, or when their teeth become too worn to eat other prey. If natural prey becomes scarce, a tiger may start to hang around villages and take livestock. Despite its wide range and adaptability to varying habitats and climates the tiger is severely threatened today.