How has the tiger become such a popular mascot choice for schools, sports teams, and society?

As we know the choice of a mascot reflects the desired traits or qualities of an institution. Common examples include predatory animals (tigers) with the fighting spirit. While tigers do not typically represent a local or regional animal in the United States, the tiger is still one of the most popular choices of mascot. The mascot is typically thought to bring luck to the group associated with it.

So again, why the tiger? Tigers are often known to be territorial which could be linked to sports teams and the perceived home field advantage (protecting their territory). Tigers are also known for their speed and agility, desirable traits in athletes. Tigers are superb predators (mostly an apex predator) with strong jaws and sharp teeth. Generally the association with the animal is that it is very close to the top of the food chain, which is symbolic of winning or being the best.

In a recent poll the tiger was voted the world’s most popular animal. The tiger has become so popular because of its design, its image, and the perception of being an apex predator.