Quick Answer:Tigers are Nocturnal.

Tigers are some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring creatures on planet earth. According to some, this makes them “charismatic megafauna.” That’s a bit nerdy for my tastes, but I won’t deny the charisma of these magnificent creatures.

But odds are you are here because you already recognize how cool these animals are. So let’s get down to it and examine the activity patterns of tigers!

What Time of Day Are Tigers Most Active? What Is Their Sleeping Pattern?

They are most active during the night. Due to how a tiger’s circadian rhythm is programmed, a tiger may sleep for up to 20 hours a day. This allows them to be calorically efficient as well as avoid the extreme heat that is featured in some tiger environments.

Are Tigers Crepuscular?

Not strictly, tigers are more generally considered nocturnal. However tigers may be seen moving during the twilight hours before and after their primary activity hours.

Are Tigers Nocturnal?

Yes, tigers are mostly nocturnal. This means they are active mostly during the night. Tigers have incredible night vision that is significantly better than that of a human – 6 times better as a matter of fact. This is to their advantage while hunting, but they need all the advantages they can get, as many hunts end up in failure. (Sleep.org, 2018)

The rest of that time they spend hunting or patrolling their territory. Tigers from tropical climates frequently choose to rest in shallow water holes. This keeps the cat cool, and it can relax without the annoyance caused by biting flies.

Are Tigers Diurnal?

Tigers can be seen moving during the day, but they are not PRIMARILY active during the daylight hours.

Are Tigers Matutinal?

Tigers may move about more in the early mornings than they would during the day, but I think it’s better to classify them as nocturnal.

Are Tigers Vespertine?

Tigers may move about more around sundown than they would during the day, but I think it’s better to classify them as nocturnal.

Interesting Tiger Sleeping Facts

According to the source below, there is evidence suggesting that tigers shifted their circadian clock and are more active at night to avoid encountering humans. Also, (Woods, 2018).

How Long Do Most Tigers Sleep?

Most tigers sleep between 16 to 20 hours per day. The rest of the day they are watching for prey, patrolling their large territories, and hunting. (Sleep.org, 2018)

Why Do Tigers Sleep So Much?

Tigers are smart animals. They conserve energy and don’t consume a lot of energy if they can help it.

For example, Bengal tigers are nine to ten feet long, and have a 2-3 foot long tail.

…they weigh between 300 and 500 pounds. So instead of wasting energy chasing (likely faster) prey, tigers spend their days lounging.

They use their stripes to blend into the shadows of the jungle at dawn and dusk when they can stalk and catch their prey with minimal energy. It can take 10 to 20 attempts for a tiger to reel in dinner. So once tigers do catch a good meal, they don’t leave it behind. A Bengal tiger can down as much as 65 pounds of fresh meat in one sitting.

Do Tigers Like To Sleep In Caves Or Dens?

Yes, they do sometimes sleep in caves or dens. These dens can provide a welcome relief from some of the harsher environments that tigers can be found in.

Do Different Tiger Subspecies Have Different Sleeping Patterns?

I honestly haven’t found any hard data indicating that different species of tigers have different sleep schedules. The absence of data doesn’t prove that they are the same, but it makes intuitive sense that different species of tigers would have a similar sleep schedule.

Are Tigers Intelligent?

A tiger’s brain size is at least 16 percent larger than a lion’s brain. So, among the big cats, tigers have physically larger brain cavities relative to their body mass. This fact may point to their biological ability to possess higher intelligence than other similar species. (University of Oxford, 2009)

When it comes to hunting, tigers are extremely strategic. They don’t merely go running after their prey haphazardly, but slowly and patiently wait for an opportune moment to strike. Not only are tigers tough and stealthy, but they can impersonate other animals as well. Tigers use their ability to imitate the calls and voices of other animals to get their prey closer to them. Adaptability is another way in which tigers show off their wit and intelligence. Instead of just blindly attacking another animal, tigers will assess the best method to kill it first. For example, if a tiger is attacked by a crocodile while swimming, it will not go for its neck, but rather for its soft stomach, as the tiger knows it will not be able to bite through the crocodile’s neck scales. (Littrell, 2017)

Aside from hunting, these amazing creatures also have incredible memories. Tigers’ short-term memory lasts almost thirty times longer than any humans’ brain can. Due to this, they remember much more and forget much less than we humans do.

Conclusion

Tigers are wonderful creatures. Their presence is essential for the stability of the natural system they are in. Sadly, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are endangered for extinction.

This means that one day they may disappear for good. This happens in part because of the illegal and unmerciful hunting done by poachers for their skins. Stopping this poaching requires enforcement efforts by government agencies, but we average folk can also help by not purchasing products that feature real tiger fur.

After all, each of us has a role in nature. Without tigers, prey species may overpopulate and die painful deaths of starvation due to overgrazing – but that is merely a functional argument.

I personally believe you can just as easily make an aesthetic/inspirational argument for the conservation of tigers. Tigers are beautiful and rare creatures, and for that reason alone they should be protected!

Feature image source

References

Littrell, A., 2017. Incredibly Intelligent Tigers. [Online]
Available at: https://blueskytigersanctuary.org/2017/12/11/the-incredible-intelligence-of-tigers/
[Accessed 22 Dec 2018].
Sabin, B., 2018. TIGER. [Online]
Available at: https://defenders.org/tiger/basic-facts
[Accessed 22 Dec 2018].
Sleep.org, 2018. Sleep Habits of: Tigers. [Online]
Available at: https://www.sleep.org/articles/sleep-habits-of-tigers/
[Accessed 22 Dec 2018].
Sleeping.com, 2018. Sleeping. [Online]
Available at: http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/sleeping.html
[Accessed 22 Dec 2018].
University of Oxford., 2009. Are Tigers ‘Brainier’ Than Lions?
Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911145030.htm
[Accessed 22 Dec 2018].
Woods, A., 2018. What does a tiger do at night. [Online]
Available at: https://animals.mom.me/tiger-night-3314.html
[Accessed 22 Dec 2018].