The human eye can process red, green and blue, so to us, a tiger looks orange (right). They are carnivores - they eat meat - and they rely on stealth to hunt successfully. Since tigers are apex predators at the top of the food chain, they don’t need to hide from animals that might eat them. Camouflage - or “cryptic coloration” - allows them to hide, undetected. In my work as a zoological veterinarian, I’ve seen up close how various animals’ coats, feathers, colours, spots and stripes have evolved to either help them attract a mate or disguise them. So how does such a brightly coloured animal stay concealed well enough to hunt successfully? Whether they live in grasslands, forests or jungles, wild tigers have deep orange coats with dark stripes. When tigers stalk their prey, usually in the murky light of dusk or dawn, they are nearly invisible. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to do tigers have stripes? – Vidit M., age 8, New Delhi, India Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages.
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