Tigress in Kabini

[Mrudul Godbole]

From the series I posted earlier. The tigress after getting up from the Lantana, proceeded to this tree bark lying near by and started scratching, I think that was to sharpen her claws.

Canon 80D, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM, f8, 1/50, ISO 800, hand held, full frame

Comments and critiques welcome.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I remember this scene. Tigers routinely scratch bark of trees to either sharpen their claws and/or to scent mark. Before scratching the tree this tigress took time to smell the tree to ascertain the presence of other tigers. Since it was rainy season the scent marks get washed away. It is easy for us to watch it from a vehicle. Also these days these tigers have got accustomed to vehicles. In other places they won't be comfortable. So when I imagine Jim Corbett painstakingly moving close to tigers and watching them for hours, I wonder whether he was superhuman.

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

A routine and healthy activity of the tigress. It is essential to remove remnant flesh in between the claws in the paw before it gets rotten. Apart from visual mark, scratching leaves scent marking due to secretion from the glands in footpad.
An important behaviour ably documented. Thanks for sharing. SaktiWild.

[V S Sankar]

The Tigress looks nice in the greenish surroundings.Nice bit of info from Sabyaji and Saktiji!

Regards

V S Sankar