Why do grasslands and mixed forests support many tigers?

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A Bengal tiger with orange fur and black stripes lies on the ground, facing forward with its front legs crossed. — tiger The forests of West Bengal are inhabited by the endangered Bengal tiger (*Panthera tigris tigris*).

Grasslands and mixed forests are ideal environments for tigers because these habitats support the highest number of prey species. By maintaining a large and reliable food supply, these areas allow for maximum population densities of tigers.1

Unlike densely canopied forests, which may limit the abundance of prey, these open or semi-open landscapes provide the necessary resources for tigers to thrive as apex predators.1