Do tigers like or hate swimming, or do they have no preference?

Question

I always wondered. I heard that cats don't like swimming, is it the same for tigers?

Answer 1

Among the big cats, only the tiger and jaguar are strong swimmers; tigers are often found bathing in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Powerful swimmers, tigers are known to kill prey while swimming. Some tigers have even ambushed boats for the fishermen on board or their catches of fish. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger

These cats are powerful swimmers and along with the jaguar are quite at home in the water. They can easily cross rivers 6-8 kms wide and have even been known to swim distances of up to 29 km.

In southeast Asia tigers are semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in rivers or swamps and feeding on fish or turtles. Some zoologists believe that the tiger swam the channel between Java and Bali to colonise the latter island. Both of the subspecies which used to occupy these islands are now considered extinct.

Keeping cool:
Drenching and drying keeps tigers cool during the hottest part of the day. They follow a pattern of soaking for about an hour, then returning to dry land where the winds have a cooling effect on the wet body. As the benefits start to wear off they once more return for another cooling soak.
Tigers may love water, but they do not like to get it in their eyes and will frequently enter backwards to ensure this doesn't happen. When emerging they'll often shake like a dog to remove the worst of the water from their coats.

Even a swiftly flowing current will not discourage this big cat, and people in boats make quite easy pickings for a determined man-eater.
http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/water.html

PS it isnt that cats dont like swimming it is simply that some species or breeds of cats are not acclimated or adapted to swimming, it is interesting to note that the Turkish Van is one of the breeds of domestic cats that enjoys swimming because of thier origins.... Perhaps the most interesting trait of the breed is its fascination with water; most cat breeds dislike being immersed in water. The unusual trait may be due to the breed's proximity to Lake Van in their native country; it may have acquired this trait due to the very hot summers and have extremely waterproof coats that make bathing them a challenge. As such, Vans have been nicknamed the "Swimming Cats" for this most unusual trait. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_van#Characteristics

Answer 2

Tigers are great creatures in every way. Kelly C explained it the best. Tigers actually dig the water. They, unlike other cats, will chase prey into the water with out questions. They lay around in water to cool off a lot. Tigers are I believe the only cat species that doesnt mind swimming.

Answer 3

first of all tigers do like swimming in fact tigers and jaguars are so far the only cats that do like the water. With tigers living in the steaming forests of India, swimming or just laying in a pool of water is a good way for the cat to cool off. For the jaguar, some of their prey items live in or near water. They'll hunt fish,turtles, and caymans. So the answer to your questions is yes tigers do love the water and they do like to swim.

Answer 4

I've heard that tigers are really crazy for the water! Also, I saw a documentary about them in which one was shown swimming for the sake of enjoying the water, not to get across.
This quote is from the source cited below:
"Unlike most members of the cat family, tigers seem to enjoy water. They swim well and often soak in streams or pools of water to cool off."

Answer 5

I think tigers like to swim. I saw several tv shows with them swimming.

Answer 6

I think tigers hate to swim

Answer 7

tigers like to swim in water, whereas lions do not like water(just like house cats)

Answer 8

Like most other cats, tigers prefer not to be in the water, but also like other cats they are good swimmers when they have to.

Answer 9

Over in Bangladesh, tigers often swim in this waterlogged country in pursuit of prey, which sometimes includes fishermen.

Answer 10

i actually haven't any concept, distinctive than that cats should not be waiting to swim... in basic terms 2 cats i've got have been given ever owned enjoyed water, and the only I definitely have now cracks me up because of actuality he sticks his finished head in, its hilarious.