Agile, majestic and beautiful, tigers are one of the fastest and most powerful creatures on earth. They’re also one of the most mysterious, being solitary creatures that keep themselves hidden in the forests, grasslands and mangrove swamps that make up their territories. They’re fascinating to study both in captivity and the wild, displaying a wide range of behaviours that give us an insight into their unique world. More specifically, tigers are renowned for their roar. But what does it mean when they make this sound and can different roars mean different things? Let’s find out. 

Full Roar 

Tigers have a variety of vocalisations, each serving a specific purpose. A tiger’s full roar, for example, can be heard over several miles and is used to establish territory and communicate with other tigers. It signals strength and presence, warning other males not to come near. Tigers are mostly solitary animals, with the exception of a female tiger and her cubs. They can dominate large territories independently and don’t take kindly to intruders. 

While children’s shows often portray tigers as cute and cuddly or quiet and mysterious, tigers are independent predators and the full roar can sound very scary! 

Contact Call 

While the full roar is all about dominance, control and establishing a presence, the contact call is less intense and conveys a sense of connection. Tigers communicate using short, repetitive roars that sound more talkative than intimidating. Tigers use contact calls when they’re separated from each other and are trying to reunite by identifying locations. A mother might use a contact call to find cubs that might have wandered off slightly too far.

Contact calls are also used as a form of courtship during mating season. If a male and female are ready to meet and reproduce, they will roar gently but repetitively to signal their presence, location and availability.

Growl 

While humans grumble to show their irritation or anger, tigers make a low, threatening growl. This warns potential threats or rivals of their mood and encourages them to stay away to avoid more aggressive actions. If ignored, a growl might lead to a full roar as an intimidation technique, giving a more serious warning that an encroaching tiger should back off. A low growl may also show nearby animals that aren’t necessarily prey that a tiger wants space or feels threatened in some way.

Moan or Grunt 

Believe it or not, tigers are surprisingly emotional creatures and they can signal a wide range of emotions through gentle moans and grunts. These sounds can indicate everything from dissatisfaction and pain to the need for attention. Mothers often grunt at their cubs.

Chuff

When tigers are relaxed and happy, they make vocalisations known as chuffs, which are short, repetitive puff-like sounds. These are used as greetings among familiar individuals and are a way of expressing affection. 

If you love tigers and are looking for the best theatre shows for families, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came To Tea on tour. This fantastic children’s play is based on the Judith Kerr book of the same name and is great fun for the whole family. Book your tickets today.