Tigers are distinctive orange and black striped cats that are easily recognizable and critically endangered, having been extirpated from 93% of their historical range. The nine subspecies of these animals are restricted to small parts of Asia, and their population is estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 cats in the wild. Read on to learn more about theTiger.
Description of the tiger
Tigers are the largest living big cat species. The largest subspecies are the Bengals andSiberian Tigers. These cats can grow up to 4 feet tall.on the shoulder, and weigh over 800 lbs. in the wild – and even more so in zoos!
They have thick fur that varies in color but is generally a burnished orange with vertical black stripes. Their bellies, chests, and parts of their faces are white with black stripes. The fur around the neck and chest grows thicker, but not quite as long as a lion's mane.
Interesting facts about the tiger
Tigers are apex predators and have finely tuned anatomy and behavior to capture large prey. From nose to tail, these fearsome cats are perfect for both hunting and survival.
- A tiger stripe– In our eyes, tiger stripes are very distinctive and eye-catching. However, drop this pattern in a tall stand of grass, with partial sunlight streaming through the trees, and this sleek cat becomes almost invisible. This is of course an advantage when stalking prey. The closer the cat can get to its prey before attacking, the more likely it will catch its target.
- hunt– Despite their perfectioncamouflage, Tigers are not always successful in their hunt. Researchers estimate that only one out of ten or twenty hunts results in a meal. This means that tigers must choose their targets well and hunt efficiently if they are to survive.
- Unique pattern– Tigers are actually the only big cats that are completely striped. Each tiger's stripe pattern differs from the next, and the stripes of different subspecies have different thicknesses and shapes. They even have striped skin!
- Powerful paws– The tiger's paws are not only equipped with long claws for grasping prey, they are also heavily padded. This allows them to stalk almost silently through the forest. Once they find a possible target, they can jump forward six to ten meters to catch their prey!
Habitat of the tiger
The optimal habitat for tigers is near a water source, with plenty of vegetation for cover when hunting, and plenty of prey. These are solitary animals, so being able to hide in tall grass and bushes while stalking prey is of paramount importance.
They also prefer to live in habitats with suitable den sites such as caves, hollow trees or very dense bushes. Different subspecies are found in a range of forest types including evergreen, swamp, mangrove, deciduous, thorn and taiga forests. They also occasionally inhabit rocky mountain habitats as well as savannas and grasslands.
Distribution of the tiger
Unfortunately, tigers in Asia have lost 93% of their former range. They are no longer found in western or central Asia, Bali, Java and around the Caspian Sea. Today, small tiger nests can be found in India, Russia, Bangladesh, North Korea, Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Sumatra.
Tiger populations in these areas are highly fragmented. This means that the tigers are separated by large tracts of land and cannot breed with each other.
Diet of the tiger
Tigers prefer medium and large sized prey, especially ungulates or ungulates. They typically hunt animals that weigh 200 pounds. or more. Some of their favorite prey species are deer,buffalo, chital, nilgai, swamp deer, Indian bison, wapiti,Tapir,Orangutan, monkeys, camels, fish & morewild boar. They also sometimes hunt other predators such as dogs,crocodiles,leopards, andinertiabears.
Tigers ambush and silently pursue their prey to get close enough to capture them. A successful hunt requires skill and precision. Sometimes when tigers get injured or get too old to hunt, they resort to hunting humans. This can lead to extreme conflicts between native people and tigers.
Tiger and Human Interaction
Man-eating tigers are relatively rare but still a problem in Asia. This can lead to Aboriginal people becoming fearful and resentful of tigers, exacerbating conservation battles. Humans have been consistently decimating tiger populations for years. Tigers are considered a top game species in Asia and were hunted not only for their fur but also for sport.
Other hunts were done in retaliation for attacks and to provide traditional Chinese medicine. This trade is fueled by the false belief that tiger parts are used as a painkiller and aphrodisiac. The black market trade in tiger parts and skins drives poaching to this day.
domestication
Tigers have not been domesticated in any way.
Is the tiger a good pet?
The tiger is not a good pet. They are the largest cat species and extremely powerful. These cats have been known to kill people and should not be kept as pets.
tiger grooming
In zoos, tigers must be provided with plenty of enclosure space to allow them to move and interact. They are also equipped with a water feature as tigers love to swim. To stimulate the tigers they will be outfitted with environmental enrichments in the form of large toy balls, floats, branches and logs, blocks of ice, puzzle toys and more.
To better care for tigers, they are trained using positive reinforcement to participate in their own health care. This prevents zoo keepers from having to calm the tiger down for exams and some medical procedures. Tigers can be trained to stand on a scale to be weighed, have blood drawn, open their mouths to examine their teeth, and more!
behavior of the tiger
Adult tigers are solitary and rarely interact with other tigers. They maintain territories but regularly travel outside of those territories. Females' territories usually overlap with those of males, but the territories of two males do not.
Tigers often swim and bathe in ponds, lakes, rivers or streams. They also use water sources to escape the heat and are very fond of swimming. Female hatchlings establish a territory near their mothers and slowly disperse over time. Males have much larger territories than females and will check those territories to determine if females are receptive to mating.
Reproduction of the tiger
After a gestation period of 93-112 days, the female tiger gives birth to a litter of cubs. After 5-6 months, the young are weaned from their mother's milk and she teaches them to hunt. By the age of 11 months, the young are capable of hunting independently. At 18 months they become fully independent but remain with their mother for 2 years or more.
Beliefs, superstitions and phobias about the tiger
Tigers are quite common in Asian culture and mythology. They are one of the twelve creatures in the Chinese Zodiac and feature in a number of stories and folklore. In Buddhism, tigers are a symbol of anger and are considered one of the three senseless creatures.
The Tungusic people treat the tiger as a deity, and the Manchu people regard the tiger as "Hu Lin" or "the king". It's no wonder tigers are so prevalent in so many cultures given how powerful and formidable they are.