How High (And Far) Can Tigers Jump?

You can pick them out of a lineup without thinking twice about it. Tigers are known for the color of their fur and their sheer size and strength. But how high (and far) can tigers jump? Let’s find out!

Tiger Overview

Tigers have four-inch-long teeth and are widely recognized for their appearance alone. Though they have lighter-colored bellies, their fur is more of a reddish-orange with black stripes. The tiger is the largest cat found throughout the world and can easily grow up to six feet tall and weigh over 400 pounds. Unlike lions that prefer to hunt in prides, using their strength in numbers, tigers are solitary hunters.

Tigers are large enough and powerful enough to take down large prey animals like antelope and deer. They wait until it’s nighttime before they start hunting. They’re quick when they spot a prey animal and sprint over to them, quickly bringing them to the ground where they can bite their throat to render them lifeless.

Where Do Tigers Live?

Tigers live in different parts of the world including eastern Russia, the southern and southeastern portions of Asia, and China. Their habitats vary and can include grasslands, evergreen forests, tropical forests, and mangrove swamps. Even within their territories, tigers are quick to establish which areas are theirs. They live quite a distance from one another and can pick up on signals from other tigers in the area including unique scratch marks and the scent of another’s urine.

How High Can Tigers Jump?

When tigers jump, they can jump vertically. They don’t necessarily need to advance during their jump. When jumping vertically, they can reach up to 16 feet in the air! Bengal tigers, specifically, can jump up to 30 feet in the air!

How Far Can Tigers Jump?

If a tiger is choosing to advance when it leaps, it can cover anywhere between 18 and 20 feet with a single jump. Being that these are the largest cats in the wild, it’s no surprise that they can jump these long, impressive distances.

Can Tigers Climb?

Tigers can absolutely climb trees! They typically do this when they’re younger, however. Once they reach adulthood, they’re much less likely to employ their climbing abilities. As they reach adulthood, they are considerably heavier, which is ultimately what prevents them from frequently climbing. However, if they want to, they certainly can because they have retractable claws that allow them to get a good grip on a tree trunk and climb up with ease.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © enky03/Shutterstock.com