Different Types of Tigers
Attacks
They usually attack when they are weak or injured and cannot catch their usual prey. Although attacks are rare, they are reported every year and once the tiger develops a taste for humans they will keep on attacking. One method used to help reduce the number of attacks is to fix human dummies around their habitat, that are charged with electric giving off a shock when they are touched by a tiger, this has been reasonably effective as it works similar to electric fences used for cattle.
Bengal Tiger
Background
The Bengal Tiger is the most popular with a population of approximately 3,000-4,700 (recorded in 1997). This is more than the other 4 subspecies put together. The Bengal Tiger is also known as the Royal Bengal Tiger or Indian Tiger. White tigers are always Bengal Tigers. Every white tiger in captivity in the US came from one white male, which was captured in 1951 in India and has been inbred with his own young. The Bengal Tiger is the only tiger to have the gene that produces the white coloring. These are not albino.
Statistics
Distribution Banladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal
Length Female, 7ft 11"- 8ft 8"- 10ft 2"
Weight Female, 221-353 lbs. Male, 419-569 lbs
Prey Antelope, buffalo, cattle, deer, pigs
Lifespan 10-20 years in the wild
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Indochinese
Background
There is very little known about the Indochinese Tiger. This is for a couple of reasons, the first is its rarity. There are only approximately 1000-1500 of these tigers left in the wild and about 60 live in zoos in Asia and the US. These tigers have become rare by the destruction of their habitat and poachers. The second is that they live in remote hilly forests, which are not easily accessible to researchers and the governments in charge of these territories do not allow researchers to enter. The Indochinese Tiger is considered to be the closest relation to that of the original ancestors or all tigers, making it one of the oldest of the Tiger species.
Statistics
Distribution Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Length Female, 7 ft 7"- 8 ft 8". Male, 8 ft 5" - 9 ft 4"
Weight Female, 221-287 pounds. Male, 330-430 lbs
Prey Cattle, deer, pigs
Lifespan 10-15 years in the wild |
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Siberian
Background
The Siberian Tiger is also a rare subspecies with only around 400 left in the wild. They are the largest of the tiger species and their roar can be heard a mile away. They hunt at night using their long stripes as camouflage in the tall blades of grass prominent in their habitat. They consume up to 100 pounds of meat in a night, because they do not eat everyday and sometimes go for a few days before their next meal and need to build their energy.
Statistics
Distribution Eastern Russia, Northeastern China and Northern Korea
Length Female, 7 ft 11"- 9 ft". Male, 8 ft 8" - 10 ft 9"
Weight Female, 221-368 lbs. Male, 419-675 lbs
Prey Cattle, deer, pigs
Lifespan Up to 20 years in the wild
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South China
Background
The South China Tiger is the most rare of all the tiger subspecies. There are only 20-30 left in the wild, however, 47 South China Tigers exist in zoos across China. These are the only zoos you will find them in worldwide and the last South China Tiger was brought into captivity 20 years ago. This subspecies is also known as the Amoy or Chinese Tiger. Not only are they the most rare of tiger subspecies but they are also one of the smallest, see below for statistics. Again due to their rarity, there is very little known about them as they are seldom seen in the wild.
Statistics
Distribution Central and Eastern China
Length Female, 7 ft 3"- 7 ft 11". Male, 7 ft 7" - 8 ft 7"
Weight Female, 221-254 lbs. Male, 287-386 lbs
Prey Cattle, deer, pigs
Lifespan Up to 20 years in the wild |
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Sumatran
Background
There are around 400 of this subspecies left in the wild, most live in the 5 Sumatra national parks. They are the smallest of the subspecies and have the darkest coat of all tigers and has broad black stripes which are set closely together and extend down to the forelegs, unlike other tiger subspecies. The population growth in captivity is looking good. There are 210 living in Indonesian, North American, European and Australian zoos. This population derived from 37 tigers caught in the wild.
Statistics
Distribution Indonesian Island of Sumatra
Length Female, 7 ft 1"- 7 ft 7". Male, 7 ft 3" - 8 ft 8"
Weight Female, 165-243 lbs. Male, 221-309 lbs
Prey Deer, pigs
Lifespan Up to 20 years in the wild |
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