Tigers are solitary animals, and their social behavior is primarily focused on territory and mating. Each tiger establishes and defends its own territory, which can vary greatly in size depending on the availability of prey and habitat conditions. Territories are marked with scent markings, scratch marks on trees, and vocalizations to communicate with other tigers and establish boundaries.

Male tigers typically have larger territories that overlap with those of several females. During the breeding season, males will seek out females to mate. Unlike some other big cats, male tigers do not participate in raising their offspring. Instead, females are responsible for rearing cubs alone. After mating, males will return to their territories, while females stay with their cubs, providing food, protection, and teaching them survival skills.

Despite their solitary nature, tigers do communicate with one another through a variety of vocalizations. Roaring is used to warn off rival tigers and assert dominance, while softer sounds like chuffing are used during friendly interactions or between mothers and their cubs. Tigers also use body language to convey their feelings and intentions, such as tail flicks or specific postures during confrontations.

Cubs are born blind and rely on their mother for warmth and nourishment. As they grow, they begin to explore their surroundings and engage in play behavior, which helps them develop essential hunting skills. Sibling interactions are important for learning how to stalk, pounce, and fight, preparing them for independent life once they leave their mother’s care.