During a nature walk in a reserve in the Indian state of Odisha, this amateur photographer was lucky enough to come across a tiger whose wide stripes make its fur appear almost completely black.
A melanistic tiger, also known as the black tiger because of its broad black stripes that hide its orange fur, has been spotted in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
It was a student from Calcutta who photographed this extremely rare animal.
“I was surprised and felt fortunate to have seen the tiger. I was watching various birds and monkeys in the trees when I suddenly saw something which looked like a tiger but not like a usual tiger. Back then I didn’t have any idea about Melanistic Tigers.”
Despite its unusual coat, it is not actually a species in its own right but a genetic mutation. On the verge of extinction, black tigers inhabit only the Odisha jungle. Currently, biologists have identified only six specimens. They’re grrrreat!
Only six of the mysterious beasts are known to exist in the world. 😮🖤
— LADbible (@ladbible) November 4, 2020
