The Tiger(Panthera tigris) is the largest big cat in the world. Tigers live in Asia and Russia. The Tiger is classified in the Mammalian order Carnivora, and the family Felidae.
Physical Characteristics
The Tiger is covered with orange fur with dark vertical stripes. Its underside is white. There are 3 rare color variants: white, golden and nearly stripeless white.
| Genus | Panthera |
| Species | P. tigris |
| Binomial Name | Panthera tigris |
| Length | 2-3.9 m(6’7″-12’10”) |
| Tail Length | Tail Length 60 cm to 1.1 m(2′-3’7″) |
| Weight | 65-390 kg(143-661 lbs.) |
| IUCN Status | Endangered |
*Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies of Tiger. Subspecies are populations that show subtle differences from other populations. Subspecies are usually reserved to certain geographic areas.
- Panthera tigris sondaica. The Sunda Island Tiger(Panthera tigris sondaica) is a Tiger subspecies native to the Sunda Islands in Indonesia. The Sumatran Tiger is considered a distinct population of P.t. sondaica, and not a subspecies.
- Panthera tigris tigris. P.t. tigris is divided into 5 distinct populations:
- The Bengal Tiger(P.t. tigris) population can be found on the Indian Subcontinent.
- The Siberian Tiger(P.t. tigris) population inhabits Northeast Asia and eastern Russia. The Siberian Tiger is also known as the Amur Tiger.
- .The South China Tiger(P.t. tigris) population occurs in southern China.
- The Indochinese Tiger(P.t. tigris) population inhabits forests in Indochina,
- The Malayan Tiger(P.t. tigris)population inhabits Peninsular Malaysia
Range
Tigers can be found in China, eastern Russia, India, and Sumatra.
Habitat
Tigers inhabit forests
Breeding
Tigers may breed at any time during the year The female gives birth to a litter of 2 to 6 cubs after a gestation period of 93 to 114 days. The female hides her cubs in a sheltered location such as in tall grass. The cubs are blind at birth, and can take up to 14 days to open their eyes. The father usually doesn’t take part in rearing the cubs. The cubs will stay with their mother until they are about 2 years old. Tigers reach sexual maturity between 3 and 5 years old.
Diet
Tigers eat mammals, birds, and fish.
Conservation Status
The Tiger is listed as endangered.
Fun Facts
- Tony the Tiger is an animated character and the official mascot of Frosted Flakes; a cereal that is manufactured by Kellogg’s.
- Paws is an anthropomorphic Tiger and the official mascot of the Major League Baseball team; the Detroit Tigers.
- Tigers can leap 3 meters(9 feet, 11 inches) in length.
- Tigers can live for up to 26 years.
