Tigers are a popular animal in children’s stories, TV shows and theatre productions. From Shere Khan, the memorable baddy in the Jungle Book, to the loveable Tigger in Winnie the Pooh, their presence in books and family shows always brings interest and excitement for young children. 

Tigers are perhaps best known for their stripy fur, which not only gives them a beautiful appearance, it also helps them to hunt in the wild. Keen to know more? Here are eight fun facts about tigers’ fur. 
 

No two tigers have the same stripes

Just like human fingerprints, tigers’ stripes are unique to each animal. Every tiger has its own fur pattern, and this helps conservationists to tell them apart more easily. 
 

Tiger fur has two layers

Tigers have two layers to their fur: an outer layer of guard hairs that provide protection and camouflage, and an inner, insulating layer that keeps them warm when it’s cold and cool in the heat. 

Tiger stripes are visible on the skin

If you were to shave a tiger (although we wouldn’t recommend trying!) you would see that its skin is stripy too. That’s because the hair follicles that sit just beneath the surface of the skin are pigmented.

Tigers shed their fur

In the warmer months, tigers tend to shed their fur and grow a shorter coat that keeps them cooler. Tigers that live in colder climates, such as Amur tigers, grow a thicker coat in autumn/winter to keep them warm in harsh temperatures. 
 

The stripes provide excellent camouflage

A tiger’s stripes mimic dappled sunlight and break up the creature’s outline when it’s hiding among trees and long grasses, making it tough for its prey to spot. 
 

The orange colour is a clever adaptation

To the human eye, a tiger’s orange colour doesn’t make sense in a green environment. But deer and boars - key tiger prey - are red-green colourblind, meaning red and orange look green-brown to them. So as far as its prey is concerned, the tiger blends in beautifully to its surroundings. 
 

Stripe patterns vary in each subspecies

There are six subspecies of tiger, and each has a slightly different stripe pattern and colouring to suit its habitat. Amur (Siberian) tigers, for example, have thin, wide-set stripes and paler patches of fur to suit their snowy environment, while Sumatran tigers have thicker, more closely set stripes, allowing them to blend into their forested habitats. 
 

Tigers groom like domestic cats

Just like domestic cats, tigers have to groom their fur to keep it clean. They use their rough tongues, which are covered in little bumps called papillae, to remove dirt and loose hair from their coats. 

Join a tiger for tea

If you love tigers and you’re looking for ‘children’s theatre near me’ this season, you’ll love The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Adapted from Judith Kerr’s popular picture book, it’s perfect for kids aged three and up and makes for a great day out with family. Book your tickets today and join in the fun.