When it comes to super powers in the animal kingdom, tigers are at the top of the list. They are the strongest big cat on the planet and among the strongest land mammals too. Everything about this fearsome hunter is designed to take down large prey, from deer and wild boar to water buffalo, and even small elephants. Here, we learn just how strong a tiger really is. 

Lifting power

Lions might be known as the kings of the jungle, but when it comes to lifting power, tigers are superior. Their bodies are made up of around 60-70% muscle (compared to about 58% in a lion) and they’re able to lift and drag prey that weighs up to 550kg - approximately twice their own bodyweight. In comparison, a lion can lift about 450kg, while an adult human can struggle to lift as much as half their own bodyweight without some strength training at the gym. 

Bite force

Tigers’ strength isn’t just about having the ability to lift and move their lunch around. They also have a very strong jaw and a Bengal tiger’s bite force can reach 1,050 PSI (pounds per square inch) - enough to crush a human skull. A lion's bite force, while still impressive, is around half that of a tiger’s, and a human’s bite force is around six times smaller at 140-160PSI. 

Swipe strength

A casual swipe from a tiger shouldn’t be underestimated either. Those huge paws can measure 20cm in length and 20cm in width, and can deliver as much as 10,000 pounds of force. A single blow can not only cause serious injury, it could even kill a human. In fact, a tiger’s paws are possibly its deadliest weapon. 

Leg strength

Tigers have muscular legs with particularly powerful hindquarters. They can stand on their back legs to fight, and use their explosive power to make huge leaps. It’s estimated that in a single leap they can reach heights of up to 4.8 metres and distances of up to 9 metres. This helps them close the gap between themselves and their prey when they’re hunting. Tigers also use their leg strength to climb, pulling their bodies up with their front legs and pushing with their back legs. They don’t climb often as their bodies are not well adapted to it, but they can do so when necessary. 

Join a tiger for tea

If you’re looking for theatre shows for under 5s this summer, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea. This tale of a friendly tiger who drops into Sophie’s house for tea is adapted from the best-selling picture book by Judith Kerr, and brings the story to life with songs, dancing, magic and clumsy chaos. At just 55 minutes long with no interval, it’s one of the best examples of theatre for preschoolers, being tailored to shorter attention spans. Browse the performance dates and venues online and pick up your theatre family tickets today.