The average male Bengal tiger is nine feet to nine and one-half feet long. Females typically grow to eight and one-half feet in length. Males weigh 400 to 500 pounds and females average 300 to 400 pounds. Tigers that live in the Northern regions of India grow slightly larger than in Southern regions. They also are lighter in color.
Tigers eat large mammalian prey.
They especially like deer, antelope, bears, wild pigs, buffalo, wild cattle and porcupines. Tigers also need shelter in which to rest and stay cool. Sometimes this involves climbing trees for cat naps. Tigers also need a lot water, especially after eating. Although tigers hunt primarily for food, they also are strong enough to kill other tigers and large cats, such as leopards.