The Bengal Tiger Lives in Swamps, Forest and Grasslands

The Bengal tiger is the largest tiger subspecies after the Siberian tiger, with males weighing up to 500 pounds (226.7 kilograms). With their muscular bodies, long tail and powerful jaws, these tigers are built for hunting.

Their signature orange coat with black stripes provides excellent camouflage in the dense forests where they live.

Like other tigers, Bengal tigers rely on stealth and strength to take down prey species, including deer, wild pig and even buffalo.

In fragmented forests where prey populations are low, some Bengal tigers have been known to attack domestic livestock, leading to conflicts with humans.

Bengal tigers thrive in many different types of environments, including the mangrove swamps of the Bangladesh's Sundarbans and the grasslands and dense forests of India’s national parks.

Like other animals in the cat family, Bengal tigers reproduce through a gestation period of about 100 days. A female Bengal tiger typically gives birth to two to four cubs in a secluded den, where she raises them alone.

The mother provides food, protection and hunting lessons until the cubs are strong enough to survive on their own.

Young tigers remain with their mother for about two years before venturing out to establish their own territory. With large numbers of poachers still targeting wild tigers for body parts, raising cubs in the wild is increasingly dangerous.

Habitat destruction due to deforestation is making it harder for these tigers to find food. Wild Bengal tigers also face threats from hunting expeditions.

As a result, conservationists, organizations like the Indian government’s Project Tiger and other wildlife groups worldwide are working hard to restore tiger numbers.

National parks and reserves also provide a safe space for tigers.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.