A tiger's skin is striped as well as its fur, not just the hair.

The longer version

Stripes are produced by pigment cells in the skin itself, not by the hair alone. Every follicle grows from tissue that already carries its own colour programme, so a shaved pelt would still show the pattern underneath.

The markings vary from individual to individual and are not symmetrical between the two sides of the body, which suggests they arise from a self-organising chemical process during embryonic development rather than a rigid genetic blueprint. Functionally, the broken vertical lines dissolve the outline of a large cat against tall grass and dappled forest shade, making it harder for prey to judge distance and movement until it is far too late.

Where this entry sits

This collection gathers small surprises about mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects, and the pets living alongside people. Expect odd details about senses, anatomy, and everyday behaviour that many people never notice in the animals around them. The full list sits on the Animals page, where every entry is listed in order.