Tigers and leopards have stripes on their bodies. This adaptation helps them to:

Mix with the surroundings:
The main reason why tigers and leopards have stripes on their bodies is to help them blend in with their surroundings. These stripes act as camouflage, allowing them to hide and stalk their prey more effectively. The alternating dark and light stripes create an optical illusion that disrupts their body shape, making it difficult for other animals to spot them in their natural habitat, which is often dense vegetation.

Disrupt the outline of their bodies:
The stripes on tigers and leopards help to break up the outline of their bodies. When they are hidden in tall grass or among tree branches, the stripes make it harder for other animals to see their distinct shape. This makes it easier for them to approach their prey without being detected.

Confuse and distract their prey:
The stripes on tigers and leopards can also confuse and distract their prey. When these big cats are on the move, the moving stripes can create an optical illusion that confuses other animals, making it harder for them to judge the speed and direction of the predator. This gives the tiger or leopard an advantage when hunting, as their prey may hesitate or make a wrong move, allowing the big cat to get closer before making its final attack.

Communication and identification:
Stripes can also serve as a form of communication and identification among tigers and leopards. Each individual has a unique pattern of stripes, similar to a human fingerprint, which can help them recognize one another. This is particularly useful for social behaviors such as marking territories or finding mates.

In conclusion, the stripes on the bodies of tigers and leopards primarily help them to mix with their surroundings, making it easier for them to hide from predators and approach their prey without being detected. The stripes also serve other purposes such as disrupting their body outline, confusing and distracting their prey, and facilitating communication and identification among individuals of the same species.