Discoveries

April 24, 2023

Scoring a Tiger

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Scientists have discovered that tigers have distinct personalities that can also determine how the big cats fare in the wild, according to Science Magazine.

For their paper, researchers surveyed the caretakers of nearly 250 Siberian tigers living in two wildlife sanctuaries in northeastern China. The questionnaire included lists of up to 70 adjectives that described tiger personality traits for each cat in their care, ranging from “savage” and “imposing” to “dignified” and “friendly.”

The research team then reviewed more than 800 questionnaires and determined two diverse personality traits accounted for nearly 40 percent of the large feline’s behavior: “Majesty” and “steadiness” mindsets.

“Majesty” tigers scored highly regarding more aggressive and domineering traits, such as confidence, competitiveness and ambition. Animals in the “steadiness” mindset displayed traits such as obedience, tolerance and gentleness.

The team noted that the results resemble past research on both wild and domestic cats, adding these personalities also affect other aspects of a tiger’s life.

For example, the “majesty” felines were healthier, hunted more and had more breeding success than those with “steadiness” personalities. They also appeared to have a higher social status.

Still, researchers plan to further inquire why majesty mindsets have a higher success in the wild than their more cautious counterparts.

The authors added that the personality study could help boost conservation efforts of tigers in the wild, a species that is currently labeled as endangered.

“Our hope is that the illumination of the magnificence and rich interior life and personalities of these animals is making a tiny contribution to tiger welfare and conservation,” said lead author Rosalind Arden.

This story originally appeared in the April 24, 2023 newsletter, The Bombs of Ambition.