Like housecats, tigers have retractable claws. They can pull their claws into a protective sheath to prevent them from becoming worn down while walking on rocks or hard ground, keeping them very sharp. Tigers are primarily nocturnal, meaning they hunt at night. But they may continue to hunt during the day if they are not successful. They may travel 10 to 20 miles in a single night searching for a meal.
Tigers rely on surprise and great strength to overcome their prey.
They may stalk their prey, or lie in ambush at a watering hole or a well-used path. If an animal eludes them, they seldom continue to chase it. Tigers can eat as much as 50 to 70 pounds at one meal. Many times, though, they eat much less and may go a week without any food at all. A male tiger's territory might encompass up to 25 square miles, while a female's range is about 8 to 10 square miles.