Bengal Tiger

Hello there. I am a Bengal tiger, and I want to tell you my story. My coat is a beautiful, bright orange, and it is covered in bold, black stripes that help me hide in the tall grass. My stripes are very special, just like your fingerprints. No other tiger in the world has the exact same pattern as I do. I was born as a tiny, helpless cub. I couldn't even see yet. My mother kept me and my siblings safe and warm in a hidden den, away from any danger. We snuggled close to her and listened to the sounds of the jungle around us.

As I grew bigger, my mother taught my siblings and me all the important tiger skills we needed to know. She showed us how to be quiet and sneaky, placing her paws so softly on the ground that she didn't make a sound. My favorite way to practice was by playing with my brother and sister. We would pounce on each other and tumble through the leaves. It might have looked like just a game, but we were really learning how to become great hunters. Our home was in the lush, green forests of India. I loved exploring everything, but my favorite place was the water. Unlike many other kinds of cats, I am an excellent swimmer. On hot days, nothing felt better than splashing in a cool river or pool to cool off.

Now that I am a grown-up tiger, I have a very important job. I am a top predator, which means I help keep the whole forest balanced and healthy. I do this by hunting prey, like deer. It is a big responsibility. I must also tell you something that is a little sad. My species is endangered, which means there are not as many of us Bengal tigers as there once were. But I want to end my story with a big, hopeful roar. Many wonderful people are working to help us. Special projects to protect tigers and our forest homes began back in 1973, and they are still helping us today. Because of these people, we have a bright future. My roar is my promise that I am here to help keep the jungle healthy and wild for years to come.