Assessment of Pray Selection and Food Habit of Carnivore Panthera Tigris (Tiger)

Abstract

Tiger (Panthera tigris) is one of the most charismatic large cats and is an icon of biodiversity conservation in India. This species has become the focus of global conservation because of its ecological importance, its endangered status and its cultural affiliations. Prey capture in tigers is plastic, allowing tigers to capture prey of a wide range of sizes and types. Predatory behavior in general is a three-part series of events including prey detection, capture and consumption. Hair samples are the most probable evidence found in the wild life crime scene. Thus, they play a vital role in species identification for wild life forensic investigation. Present study conducted with the aim and objective to find food habit of Panthera tigris and to study prey selectivity of Panthera tigris. Scat sample was brought to laboratory and washed and kept in the distilled water for 24 hours. After 24 hours again sample was cleanly washed and put into 70% alcohol and two wash of alcohol was given. The present investigations carried out by collecting and scat samples of Panthera tigris and brought into laboratory for identification of pray using undigested remain in the scat. Slides were prepared and photographed using Trinocular research microscope. Following observation were made following standard procedure. We found Boselaphus tragocamelus (Nilgai), Semnopithecus entellus (Langur), Felis chaus (Jungle cat) hairs means there exit predatory relationship between Panthera tigris and Boselaphus tragocamelus (Nilgai), Semnopithecus entellus (Langur), Felis chaus (Jungle cat).