What do tiger stripes do?
Tiger stripes help them hide. The dark stripes and orange fur break up the tiger's shape so it blends into tall grass, leaves, and sunlight patches. This is called camouflage — like when you wear a costume to hide in a game of hide-and-seek.
How a tiger catches its food — step by step:
- Step 1: Find the prey. The tiger watches and waits for an animal to come near.
- Step 2: Hide and get closer. The tiger moves slowly and quietly, staying low so the stripes help it blend in.
- Step 3: Pounce! When the prey is close enough, the tiger runs fast and jumps to catch it.
Fun fact: Every tiger has a different pattern of stripes — like a fingerprint — so no two tigers look exactly the same.
Safety note: Tigers are wild animals. We should never try to touch or go near them. It's best to watch them from far away or see them in videos or at a safe zoo.
Think of it like this: in hide-and-seek, your best chance to tag someone is to stay hidden until they come close — then you jump out. Tigers do the same, but they use their stripes to stay hidden.