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Subspecies
P.t.altaica
P.t.amoyensis P.t.corbetti P.t.sumatrae P.t.tigris.
Other subspecies extinct.
Life span
Tigers live
for 8-10 years in the wild and 26 years in captivity.
Size
Body length:
140-280cm Tail length: 60-110cm Shoulder height: 80-110cm Weight: Male:
180-280kg Female: 115-185kg
Physical
Appearance
Tigers are the
largest of the cat family, with the Siberian tiger being the largest of
the species. They are easily recognisable, with thick black vertical
stripes covering an orange body. The belly and throat are a creamy white.
Male tigers have a 'ruff' around the back of the head, which is especially
pronounced in the Sumatran male.
No two tigers have the same stripe pattern - each is unique, like human
fingerprints. Tiger stripe patterns commonly differ between the two sides
of an individual's body.
The last recorded wild white tiger was documented in 1951. This male cub
later became the progenitor of most white tigers in captivity. The stripes
of white tigers are brown.
Distribution
Tigers range
from India to Siberia and South East Asia.
Habitat
Tigers’
preferred habitat is forest although they can also be found in grassland
and swamp margins. They require sufficient cover, a good population of
large prey and a constant water supply.
Diet
Their main
prey species are large animals such as deer, buffalo and wild pigs, but
they will also hunt fish, monkeys, birds, reptiles and sometimes even baby
elephants. Occasionally, tigers kill leopards, bears and other tigers.
Social
organisation and behaviour
Tigers are
solitary (with the exception of mothers with cubs) although they may
sometimes come together to share a kill. Unlike most other cats, tigers
are fond of water and are strong swimmers.
Tigers stalk and ambush their prey. They use dense covering to conceal
themselves and sneak up on their prey. When the tiger is close enough it
suddenly rushes at its prey and kills it by grabbing the throat or nape of
the neck.
Females occupy ranges between 25-1600 sq. km. Males occupy larger ranges
which may overlap with the ranges of several females.
More than other big cats, tigers have a reputation as man-eaters. In
truth, it is rare for a tiger to attack people. It is normally old or
injured tigers who are the culprits, as they are less able to catch their
usual prey.
Reproduction
Females will
give birth to 2-4 cubs after a gestation of 104 days. They will stay with
their mother for up to two years before leaving to stake out their own
territories. Males look for territories away from their birth site, but
females may sometimes share their mother's territories
As with lions, male tigers may kill a female's cubs if the cubs are the
offspring of another male. This ensures that the female will come into
oestrus and bear the new male's offspring.
They are active at dawn and dusk.
Conservation/status
Tigers are on
CITES: Appendix I and are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. They are
illegally poached for their fur and other body parts, and suffer from
habitat loss. The Chinese tiger (P.t.amoyensis) and the Siberian
tiger (P.t.altaica) are under extreme threat of extinction.
Notes
Other than
man, tigers have no natural predators.
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