| Scientific Name
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Panthera tigris tigris
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| Classification
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Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Felidae
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| Status
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Endangered.
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| Range
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The Bengal tiger lives in fragmented areas of Bangladesh, Nepal, India,
Bruton, and Myanmar.
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| Habitat
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They live in a large range of habitats, including high altitude, cold, coniferous forests to the tropical jungle, marsh lands, and tall grasslands.
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| Diet
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Medium to large prey such as pigs, deer, antelopes, wild cattle and buffalo. They also prey on small animals like fish and monkeys.
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| Size
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Length: Males-9 !/2 ft.
Females-8 ft. (measured from head to tail)
Weight: Males-480 lbs.
Females-300 lbs.
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| Lifespan
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15 yrs.
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| Location
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Print Fact Sheet
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Tiger
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Conservation
The two major subspecies are the Siberian tiger and the Bengal tiger. The modern tiger is thought to have originated in northern Asia during the Pleistocene epoch and spread southward thereafter, crossing the Himalayas only about 10,000 years ago. Since the occupation of India by the British the population has dwindled from 100,000 to a mere 3,000 in the wild. India is one of a very few countries in the world where you can still see tigers in the wild. In 1997 there were estimated to be 210 Bengal tigers in zoos.
There are 23 tiger reserves in India. The tiger faces extinction. In the 20th century three sub species have been hunted to extinction. Current estimates put at least one tiger is poached everyday in the wild. The primary threat to the tiger is the poaching of it's bones for Chinese medicines. Increasing population and economic development is also forcing it's way into the tiger habitat all over the world.
Special Features
- Tigers, as with all top-of-the-food-chain predators help balance populations by keeping prey populations in check.
- When a tiger has eaten its fill, the abandoned prey becomes food for a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
- Cats can jump 30 feet in a single leap.
- The Siberian tiger looks much like the Bengal tiger, however, the Bengal Tiger's coat lies flatter.
Behavior
The tiger is an exclusive beast who does not follow any rules. He has an acute sensitivity, secretiveness, the ability to surprise, untiring perseverance, agility in attack, the tenacity to follow, and the strength to overpower its prey.
The tiger has a powerful set of canine teeth combined with strong jaw muscles and sharp claws with a tremendous gripping mechanism. This formidable predator can bring down animals as large as a buffalo.
The tiger lives mostly a solitary life. The males and females meet only for mating, to share a kill, or to drink and rest at watering holes in areas with limited water.
Since tigers hunt mostly at dusk and dawn their stripes help them hide in the shadows of tall grasses. They stalk and pounce because they are not able to chase prey a long distance.
The territorial male tiger usually travels alone, marking his boundaries with urine, droppings and scratch marks to warn off trespassers.
The male tiger may occupy territory up to 200 sq. miles that fluctuates because of changing food quality and abundance.
. Tigers may drag their prey to water to eat. A tiger is commonly seen in the shade or wading in pools to cool off.
Breeding and care of young
Sexual maturity occurs in females at 3-4 years; males 4-5 years.
Gestation period is 95-112 days. Usually 2-3 cubs are born.
The cubs are raised by the mother and stay with her for approximately two years. During this time they learn hunting skills, etc.
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