India, March 28 -- Recently, there have been quite a few reports of tigers venturing into human habitations and travelling long distances, even across states. At present, efforts are on to locate a two-and-a-half-year-old animal that travelled 500 km from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts. Such reports have sparked a plethora of interpretations, often based on lack of knowledge and misconceptions. Understanding tiger biology and behaviour will provide the necessary clarity in this matter.

Tigers are solitary, wide-ranging carnivores, with adult males patrolling a much larger area than adult females. In ideal habitats with abundant water and large-bodied prey animals, a male tiger's range can span 150...