How Do Tigers Communicate?

Smell

Tigers communicate in a number of pivotal ways. The first manner of communication is through smell. Often tigers will shoot urine onto trees and other objects to effectively mark their ranges, not unlike a dog. This is to warn off other tigers from entering the area. Female tigers also specifically use scent marking to give signals to males that mating is an option. Further territorial based markings occur when a tiger either scratches the ground or marks a tree trunk with its claws.

Roaring and other sounds

Roaring is another integral method of communication. A roar from a tiger acts as a warning to other tigers, animals and humans to keep their distance. Sometimes a roar can be used to bring another tiger closer, as roars are utilized also for long range communication. A roar can be heard up to two miles away. Other forms of snarls and growls act as warnings as well. Mothers will often softly moan to their cubs to call them. Also, "prusten" is a specific, low intensity call used by mothers to interact with their cubs, or between tigers during courtship.

Aggressive body language

Tigers and other cats also make great use of physical, motion-based communication to convey specific messages. A stare from a tiger is generally meant to be threatening and acts as a warning, while a long blink intimates that the cat is friendly or at least uninterested in attacking or defending itself. A stare leveled at a tiger by another cat or animal will often be taken as an invitation to battle. Further, other body parts may be used to communicate, such as the ear and and tail. If a tiger holds its ears flat or pulls them back so that the spots show, an attack may be imminent. If the tail is in constant motion, this may also be an indicator that the cat is considering physical confrontation. In these situations the tiger's head may also be held low, the mouth shut so the lips make a straight line, and the eyes wide.

Non-aggressive body language

Tigers use body language for non-aggressive reasons as well. When interacting with other tigers or scouting over an area, the tail tends to be high in the air and the ears are fully erect. When a tiger is not looking for a fight but feels cornered into a defensive position, they bear their teeth, drop their tail, wrinkle their nose and squeeze their eyes so only slits are shown.