"One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts." Psa. 145:4.
A mother tiger (tigress) moves her kitten-size cubs by grasping the loose skin over their necks with her teeth, just like a mother cat does. She is good to her three or four little ones, protecting them from her mate, who would just as soon make a meal of them. When the cubs are two months old she trains them to hunt, to swim and to take care of themselves. When fully grown a male will measure up to nine feet from whiskers to its white tail tip and weigh around 500 pounds. Normally, it will live about 20 years.
Many claim the graceful and lordly tiger to be the grandest of the larger animals, considering the beauty of its muscular body and the way it carries itself. Its large head is topped with rather small ears, its mouth accented with long, white whiskers, and its body covered with splendid black stripes—no two animals having identical markings. A special feature is its amber-colored eyes, so outstanding that a rare and valuable gemstone with a similar design is called "tigereye" and considered a prize by collectors. Long, yellow fangs and powerful limbs, equipped with sharp claws, are its principal weapons for killing its food.
The animals a tiger hunts are seldom aware of being stalked until, with a quick dash and great leap, the tiger hurls itself on them and makes the kill. Tigers prefer to live and hunt alone, but at times, through some kind of tiger communication, two will work together if their quarry is an elephant, water buffalo or some other large animal. After gorging on such a catch, neither of them needs to look for food again for several days.
The Creator has given tigers a well-camouflaged design, whether in the brush or thick grass of swamps and prairies. Although they seldom harm humans their ear-splitting roar can be heard for two miles, frightening the hearer. On some occasions people have been even more terrified to see one suddenly appear "out of nowhere" and then are relieved to have it disappear just as silently and mysteriously.
Though ferocious, the tiger is part of God's creation. In disposing of weak and sickly animals that might spread disease among their companions, it plays an important part in the balance of nature, ordered by the Creator "In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing." Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10).
We look with wonder on His care over all living things, but we should consider the special care He gives to mankind. David, the Psalmist, had such thoughts when he said: "Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: both low and high, rich and poor, together." Psa. 49:1,21<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.>> Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: 2Both low and high, rich and poor, together. (Psalm 49:1‑2). Have you "given ear," not only to His care, but to His loving invitation to accept everlasting life through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?