The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

The Bengal Tiger in India shows a distinct and overwhelming affinity with water. The reason behind this proclivity is that the predator has its origin in the extreme cold climes Siberia or Central Russia. In hot Indian summer, the animal is at the mercy of waterholes and other sources of water.   

Ten thousand years back the tiger migrated to India through the Indo Malaysia sub-region and settled down in large numbers in the Indian State of Bengal in the east. Hence it is called the Bengal Tiger of often known as the Indian Tiger. Even after such a long span of stay in the country the carnivore has not been acclimatized to the heat and humidity prevailing in many parts of the country. Since fur animals cannot sweat most of the accumulated heat is exhaled by panting and immersion in the water. 

Photographers and naturalist guides know fully well the likely hood of finding the big cat in the hot months.  In the tiger reserves waterholes, small lakes, saucers, and muddy pools abound. They are most of the mid-day time occupied by the tiger cooling off or used for wallowing besides drinking water of course.   It gets hot after 9 am in the reserves and the big cats curtail their movement and look for shade to rest or sleep. They usually drink water in the early morning time and late evening unless they have consumed a kill in the daytime. The tigers gulp water forced by their tongue and drink enough to last for long hours. 

While lying in a forest pool they slide down back into the water and head in the air. In the case of small pools, they often drink and wallow and then leave for the dense canopy to rest. My videos capture both strategies adopted by these big cats in India.