The tiger is the largest cat species. Reaching a total body length of up to 3.3 m and weighing up to 306 kg. It is the third largest land carnivore. Its most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark veritcal stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underside. It has exceptionally stout teeth

Tigers have lived for 20 to 26 years. Tigers have muscular bodies with particularly powerful forelimbs and large heads. Their faces have whiskers, which are especially long in males. The pupils are circular with yellow irises. The small, rounded ears have black markings.

The pattern of stripes is unique to each animal, and these unique markings can be used by researchers to identify individuals (both in the wild and captivity), in much the same way as fingerprints are used to identify humans.

The function of stripes is likely camouflage, serving to help tigers conceal themselves amongst the dappled shadows and long grass of their environments as they stalk their prey. The stripe pattern is also found on the skin of the tiger. If a tiger were to be shaved, its distinctive camouflage pattern would be preserved