13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Muscle Power

These two sub-adult tigers, aged around 21 months, are engaged in a mock fight, a part of their learning process to acquire stalking and self-defense skills. Taking advantage of the fact that a sibling’s attention was diverted for a moment, the other charged her and what was witnessed was a sheer moment of awe when these beautiful and magnificent animals were standing upright just for a moment and you could see the rippling muscles and the power that these biggest cats hold. No more than a few seconds and it was all over where one of the siblings is seen lying down in a submissive position – a pose that tells the opponent that the rival has surrendered. Definitely a rare moment to be captured in the wild, these playful lessons that the siblings engage in are a crucial learning lesson for their adult life.

This photo is a finalist in the Natural World category of our 13th Annual Photo Contest. See all 70 finalists here.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2014
Date Uploaded: 11.2015
Photo Location: Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
Camera: Canon EOS-1D C
Copyright: © ARCHNA SINGH
Awards
Photo of the Day: 11.27.15
Editor's Pick
Finalist