The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) is native to India, with their habitats spanning across the country. These cats are endangered, due to habitat loss from poaching and deforestation. Many Bengals live in captivity in zoos and rescues, where they must acclimate to environmental conditions different from their natural habitat. Research has shown that tigers utilize shade to optimize their body temperature in captive settings.

Art by @ThandaArt

[Edited by Isabelle McDonald]

Reference:

Stryker, J. A., Atkinson, J. L., Brown, R. D., Barney, D., Robinson, J. A. B., Duncan, J., & Finegan, E. J. (2019). Behavioral repertoire assessment of Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) with focus on thermoregulatory behavior. International Journal of Biometeorology, 63(10), 1369–1379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-019-01753-7