The Sundarbans As you think of Sundarbans your mind pictures vast mangrove forests, sedge forests, and many rivers and creeks with muddy waters. But that makes this fascinating forest special is its royalty which is none other than the Royal Bengal Tiger. Have you heard that the tigers found in the Sundarbans are totally different from all other big cats or ‘Big Cats’ of the world (such as lions, leopards or jaguars)?
Seeing a tiger in any forest in the world is no big deal but spotting their footprints in the muddy waters of Sundarbans mangroves is an incredible experience. here in this blog, let us see some surprising and strange reasons why the Sundarbans tiger is unique.
1. They are excellent swimmers and live in saltwater
It is common knowledge that the tigers are members of the feline family and these cats do not at all like water bodies. But the Sundarbans tigers are a huge contradiction to this theory. The physical layout of the Sundarbans is very interesting with much more water bodies than dry land. Tigers have proved to be ideal swimmers to fit into the environment.
Sundarbans tigers spend more time in water bodies than all other species of tigers in the world. These tigers are capable of crossing a 3 to 5 kilometer completely river with ease. A lot of researchers still marvel at how they swim upstream against waves of salt water. On a trip to the Sundarbans, it is not unusual to see a tiger swimming across a river with its head above water!
2. A varied eating habits: Fish and crocodiles are also on their menu
Most big cats hunt terrestrial animals like deer, wild boar or buffaloes. But besides killing these prey species, the tigers in Sundarbans also eat some food items that others of their kind can’t even dream about.
They have become masters of the hunting of saltwater fish, crabs and turtles due to their unique adaptation to the environment. But even more amazing about their behaviour is that they will eat small saltwater crocodiles and huge monitor lizards or snakes.
3. Physical structure: Smaller and better agile
The Sundarbans tigers are quite lighter as well as smaller in size than the Bengal tiger and Siberian tiger. However do not be taken in by this, this is far from a disadvantage to this predator. In fact, getting smaller in size helps it to move around quickly in the muddy marshes of the mangroves.
The larger the tiger, the more difficult for it to get through the breathing roots and muddy ground of the mangrove forests. But they are light and agile enough to catch their prey without making too much noise. Besides, they have strong muscles, so that they swim in salted waters with a great deal of ease.
4. Silent hunters: People with great concealment
The tigers of the Sundarbans are called “Invisible hunters”. These tigers have stripes on their body that are hidden in the yellow and black environment of the mangrove forests so that you wouldn’t even be able to spot them if they are two feet away. True, tigers in other parts of the world have to take cover behind bushes, but in the Sundarbans the forest itself is an excellent cover for the tigers.
They can even wait carefully, with their nose over the water. If a tourist passes through the rivers of the forest with his/her boat, then the tigers may be waiting for them in the forest behind, unknown to them.
5. Living in Friendly Environments: Salt water vs Fresh water
A large animal has an obvious requirement for fresh water in order to survive. But the problem is that the Sundarbans do not have enough fresh water. During the years, the tigers in the area found out a special skill to survive on salt water. Though new fresh water ponds have been created by the forest authorities in many places in recent times.
No other big wild cat in the world has survived in such harsh conditions” The Sundarbans tiger is more aggressive and bold by nature due to survival amidst the tide, getting tangled up and living in salty air.
6. A strange psychological conflict with man
The tigers of other forests usually keep away from men. However the historical record of the tigers in the Sundarbans shows that they are much braver. They have an old enmity with the local honeybee hunters (mowali) and fishermen. This hatred makes the Sundarbans tiger equally feared and respected by people. The tiger is worshipped as the ‘Dakshin Rai’ or the God of the Jungle- special to any tiger in the world.
Why select the Sundarban Package?
If you have any plans to capture [ Royal Bengal Tiger] that elusive creature by nature, then the Sundarbans forests is the place to visit. To get an idea of the tiger from the shore, or from the boat, on the river of the Sundarbans, is worlds apart.
Why Select Us?
Our Sundarbans Packages have been created to take you to the places where the probability of tiger sightings are maximum. “Our qualified professionals know fairly well when and how a tiger moves down the creek. We in addition guide you to the Sundarbans forest but also tell you many of the untold stories of the Sundarbans and the Tiger.
Conclusion
The Sundarban tiger is no simple beast of nature, but a living legend. From their ability to swim to their strong determination to adjust to salt water, everything about them separates them from all other attackers on earth. Those who want to see this mysterious creation of Nature up close, there can be no other place than the Sundarbans.
So, without wasting any more of your time, make sure you add Sundarbans to your upcoming travel bucket list. Who knows, maybe the lord of the jungle is waiting for you around the bend of some creek!