Tigers

The amazing world of...

TIGERS

By Abbie Child

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Tigers (known scientifically as Panthera Tigris) are the largest cat in the world.

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There are several subspecies of tiger, such as:

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Did you know...

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Bengal

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These carnivores can weigh between 75 and 300 kilograms.

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Tigers can reach a length of four metres long and one metre high.

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These furry felines have one white spot on each of their ears. They frighten and scare off other animals, as they look like eyes. This is useful for when they are drinking.

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There are several subspecies of tiger, such as:

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Bengal

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Siberian (the biggest subspecies)

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Malayan

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Sumatran (smallest subspecies)

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Indo-Chinese

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Habitat

These beautiful giants are found in many different locations, including China, India, and South-west Asia.

These predators are coated in thick, orange, insulating fur with dark, distinctive stripes. Therefore, they are camouflaged from potential prey, hidden in amongst the long grass and jungle trees. Their padded paws are adapted to the terrain because it helps them sneak around, unnoticed.

These carnivores live in a diverse range of habitats, for example: rain forests, grasslands and savannas, where the climate is varied. Tigers have large territories, which they roam.

Appearence

These predators are coated in thick, orange, insulating fur with dark, distinctive stripes. Therefore, they are camouflaged from potential prey, hidden in amongst the long grass and jungle trees. Their padded paws are adapted to the terrain because it helps them sneak around, unnoticed.

Did you know tigers have a special claw called a dewclaw?

They use it like a thumb to help them grasp their prey.

These mammals have four curved claws that help them climb up trees, with ease. Unfortunately, they are not useful for climbing down and they find it difficult to descend.

Diet

Tigers are carnivores, which means they only eat meat. As predators, they hunt, kill and devour their prey. The majority of this animal's diet is large-bodied mammals: antelope, wild pigs and buffalo. However, when these meals are not available, they tend to feast on smaller species (such as birds and lizards) and carrion.

Old, injured or sick tigers will sometimes attack and kill humans, or their cattle. Consequently, humans often retaliate and take revenge, killing the tiger.

Endangered

Unfortunately, these incredible creatures are endangered, due to poachers (humans killing them), for their skin/fur, bones for wine, and of course: money.

There are now only 3,900 tigers left in the wild.

Hopefully, these majestic, wild cats will have a better future and their population will increase.

What can we do to

help?

There are many ways people are trying to save tigers, such as: training rangers to protect them from poachers and help reduce human and tiger conflict and promote conservation.