Asian tiger
Panthera tigris
Asian tiger
APPEARANCE
The tiger is the largest living species of cat and the only striped cat. It has a red-orange or yellow-brown coat with black stripes and a white belly. The pattern is unique to each individual. Males have a distinct orifice, especially in the Sumatran tiger.
The tiger’s body is made for killing large ungulates. It has a relatively large skull, a powerful body, and tusks.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Tigers live in scattered populations in 13 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Sumatra Island in the Republic of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Russian Far East, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The tiger is found in a wide range of habitats, from the tropical evergreen and deciduous forests of South Asia to the conifer, oak, and birch forests of the Russian Far East.
BEHAVIOUR
The tiger is a solitary animal. Females have individual territories. Males are highly dispersed, and their territories often overlap. Tigers hunt on the ground. They often drag killed prey to their den to feed. They hide leftover prey that has not yet been eaten and return for it when they get hungry.
FOOD
The tiger’s main prey is large ungulates such as aksis, gaur, sambar, boar, and munjak. The tiger also hunts deer and peacocks.
MAJOR THREATS
One of the biggest threats to the tiger is illegal hunting. They are killed for their skin, bones, meat, and other body parts, especially traditional East Asian medicines.
