Tigers are elite swimmers capable of traveling over 18 miles through water in a single day.

Tigers (Panthera tigris) are among the few cat species that actively seek out water, a behavior driven by their evolution in hot, humid climates. Their physical anatomy includes muscular limbs and partially webbed paws, which provide significant surface area for propulsion. Research in the Sundarbans, a massive mangrove forest spanning 3,860 square miles between India and Bangladesh, shows that tigers regularly swim between islands to maintain their territories.A study published in the journal 'Mammalia' documented tigers swimming distances of up to 18 miles (29 kilometers) in a single day. This aquatic mobility is essential for their survival in tidal environments where landmasses shift with the tides. Unlike other big cats that avoid deep water, tigers use it as a tactical advantage for hunting prey like wild boar and deer that may be trapped near banks.The cooling effect of water is also vital for thermoregulation, as tigers have thick coats and lack efficient sweat glands. By spending hours submerged, they can lower their body temperature during peak heat hours in tropical regions. This combination of physical adaptation and behavioral necessity makes the tiger one of the most versatile apex predators in the animal kingdom.