The tiger is a large animal with a bright yellow-brown coat and black stripes. Some tigers have chalky white fur with chocolate brown or black stripes. They are called white tigers. Tigers belong to the cat family. Tigers are very swift and can leap nearly nine metres in the air. The tiger eats animals found in the jungle or nearby villages.

The tiger is our national animal. Many tigers were once found in the jungles (Sundarbans) of West Bengal. There are very few tigers left in the wild because most of them have been killed for sport or money. The government is trying to save the tiger by turning some forests into wildlife sanctuaries. Hunting is banned in these wildlife sanctuaries.

The tiger is a proud animal that is bold and fearless. It is strong and graceful.