Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of the tiger subspecies as compared to the Siberian tiger which is the largest.

Sumatran male tigers average 8 feet in length (2.4 meters) from head to tail and weigh about 265 pounds (120 kilograms). Females average 7 feet in length (2.2 meters) and weigh about 200 pounds (90 kilograms).

The smaller size of the Sumatran tiger makes it easier to move quickly through the jungle. Also, their stripes are narrower than other tiger species. The tiger's patterned coloring is an adaptation for camouflage in their natural habitat, which is often tall grass. The males, especially, have a more bearded and maned appearance — neck and cheek hair are well developed.

Webbing between their toes, when spread, enables the Sumatran tiger to be very fast swimmer. They will, if given the chance, run hoofed prey into the water who are much slower swimmers.

The white spots on the back of tiger's ears are called "eye spots" or "predator spots". These spots are believed to function as false eyes as well as to make it look larger to any predator approaching from behind. This is particularly helpful in keeping cubs safe.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

The Sumatran tiger is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in habitat that ranges from lowland forest to sub mountain and mountain forest including some peat moss forests. According the the Tiger Information Center and the World Wildlife Fund there are no more than 500 of these tigers left in the wild with some estimates considerably lower.

Sumatra has undergone much agricultural growth and as a result, tiger habitat has become fragmented with about 400 tigers inhabiting five National Parks and two Game Reserves. The largest population of about 110 tigers lives in Gunung Leuser National Park. Another 100 live in unprotected areas that will soon be lost to agriculture. The tigers that live in unprotected areas are very vulnerable to poaching as well as the killing of problem animals that come in contact with villagers encroaching upon the animal's habitat.

The continuing loss of habitat is intensifying the crises to save this tiger.

BEHAVIOR AND DIET:

The extent of a tiger's range varies according to habitat and availability of prey. Its sight and hearing are very acute, accounting for the tiger being such an efficient predator. The tiger lives alone for the most part, and there is only occasional cooperation between different individuals. A male will not tolerate other males staying in his territory, but will permit other transient males to move through his area.

A female uses her territory only for hunting, while the territory of a single male can overlap with those held by several females. The tiger emerges to hunt at dusk, and may travel more than 20 miles in a night.

The hunting method is slow and patient, stalking through often dense cover until close enough to spring. Tigers in general tend to attack prey from the side or rear at close range and when the prey weighs more than half that of the tiger, a throat bite is used and death is caused by suffocation. They will kill whatever they can catch, including fish, crocodiles and fowl, with the most common larger prey being wild pigs and deer.

Interestingly, is has been learned that one of the main reasons orangutans spend a minimal amount of time on the ground is from fear of tiger attack.

The tiger is one of only two cats that enjoys being in water (the other is South America's jaguar). The Sumatran tiger may often be found in a pool or stream, or standing in water to keep cool.

Male and female tigers mark their ranges by spraying scent on trees or bushes.

ZOO DIET:

In the Zoo the tigers are fed an assortment of fish, meat and poultry parts.

REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:

Tigers can breed at any time of the year, but they typically mate in winter or spring. Tigers appear to reach maturity at about 4 years of age, although earlier maturity has been recorded. Gestation is normally 103 days. The usual number of cubs is two or three, though there may be as many as six.

The cubs are blind and helpless at birth weighing about 3 pounds each. Their eyes usually open by the tenth day, although some zoo-born cubs have their eyes open as soon as they are born. During the first 8 weeks the cubs consume only their mother's milk. They are suckled for 5 or 6 months.

The cubs leave the den for the first time when they are 2 months old. They are wholly dependent until they are about 6 months old when they learn how to kill. They can hunt for themselves by the time they are about 18 months old and are fully independent at two years of age. Longevity in the wild is 15 years and 20 years in captivity.

ENDANGERED STATUS:

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered. The Indonesian Sumatran Tiger Conservation Strategy has been established by the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry and it outlines management strategies for both wild and captive tiger populations.

Even without any further losses of these magnificent animals,, the present populations are so small that they are vulnerable to severe environmental catastrophes, as well as genetic problems typical of small populations.

Indonesia has 65 captive Sumatran tigers living in zoos, 85 in European zoos and 20 in Australian zoos. There are 70 tigers managed by North American zoos of which the Honolulu Zoo has three adults and three juveniles. Our younger male and female pair produced three male offspring in 2008. The entire captive population is descended from 37 wild-caught founders. To find out more about captive management of Sumatran tigers check out this site: Tiger Global Conservation Strategy.

It is now illegal to hunt tigers, however, this has not stopped the poaching of these animals for tiger products. China, by virtue of its large population, is the largest consumer and producer of manufactured products containing tiger parts.

Outside tiger range countries, large numbers of bones ands other tiger products have been found in Taiwan and South Korea, many of which were from Indonesia. A great number of these medicinal tiger products are also consumed by Asian-Americans in North American cities, who can afford the expensive prices. The World Wildlife Fund has recently made progress working with the Schools of Chinese Medicine in North America to change attitudes toward the use tiger products.

At the turn of the century, there were probably over 100,000 tigers roaming the forests of central and southern Asia. There are now only about 6,000. Three of the eight sub-species of tiger are already extinct.

Tiger Subspecies	Minimum	Maximum
Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris	3159	4715
Caspian Tiger Panthera tigris virgata	Extinct since 1970's
Siberian/Amur Tiger Panthera tigris altaica	360	406
Javan Tiger Panthera tigris sondaica	Extinct since 1980's
South China/Amoy Tiger Panthera tigris amoyensis	20	30
Bali Tiger Panthera tigris balica	Extinct since 1940's
Sumatran Tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae	400	500
IndoChinese Tiger Panthera tigris corbetti	1227	1785
Rounded Totals	5000	7500
Adapted from a table compiled by Peter Jackson, Chairman, Cat Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission. Most estimates are educated guesses. ALL TIGERS NEED OUR HELP...PLEASE JOIN THE FIGHT TO SAVE THEM! HONOLULU ZOO Scientific Name: Felidae Panthera Tigris sumatrae Name Pandji (Deceased) Djelita Berani Chrissie Sex male female male female Born 07-23-90 (died 2005) Henry Doorly Zoo 03-26-91 San Diego Zoo 09-04-99 Phoenix Zoo 06-24-99 National Zoo Weight 225 lbs. 220 lbs. 218 lbs. 175 lbs. Likes Being with Djelita and soaking in his pool. Eating meat and attacking her meat cube. Eating meat, chewing on spices and meatball treats Eating meat, playing with pumpkins and pulling apart coconuts. Fun Facts Pandji was hand raised and very friendly. His name means "guardian protector". Likes the perfume her keeper sprays in the exhibit. Her name means "beauty" in Indonesian. He likes to run around with his keepers. His name means "brave" in Indonesian. Shes a jumper and likes things she can throw around. History Was sick for several years and benefited from extraordinary medical care. Pandji's care Pandji's Passing Spayed due to a medical condition and never had cubs. A donation from the Phoenix Zoo, via the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo in Indiana. Came from Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo in Indiana on indefinite loan. Name Malosi Keahi Tondi Sex male male male Born 09-15-2008 Honolulu Zoo 09-15-2008 Honolulu Zoo 09-15-2008 Honolulu Zoo Weight 241 lbs. 211 lbs. 245 lbs. Fun Facts Malosi is a Samoan name meaning "strong, powerful" Keahi is a Hawaiian name meaning "fire" Tondi is an Indonesian name meaning "spiritual one"

South China Tiger

At the other end of the spectrum from the Bengal tiger in terms of long-term viability lies the South China tiger (technical name Panthera tigris amoyensis). This subspecies finds itself on the very brink of extinction. There have only been a few anecdotal reports of sightings in the wild over the last ten years. Only very little secondary evidence-pug marks, feces, remnants from a kill, etc.- have been reliably reported during this period.

Range & Habitat: China is unique among tiger range countries because four of the surviving tiger subspecies at one time lived within its borders.

The Siberian tiger in the far northeast bordering Russia and North Korea; the South China tiger (which is considered the evolutionary antecedent of all tigers) in the central parts of China; and the Indochinese and Bengal tigers in the far south bordering Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Assam (India). The tiger is a favorite subject of Chinese artists, depicted as fierce and powerful.
Diet: South China tigers hunt primarily between dusk and dawn, and they attack using the same method as do the lions. They stalk, chase, and attack, bringing down and killing the prey with usually a bite to the nape of the neck or the throat. The bite to the throat allows the tiger the ability to suffocate the prey bringing death relatively quickly and painlessly. Smaller animals are often killed with the bite to the nape of the neck allowing the tiger to to fracture the vertebrae and compress the spinal chord of its victim. Once killed, the tiger either drags or carries its meal into cover. The tiger’s enormous strength allows it to drag an animal that would require 13 adult men to move. Tigers consume anywhere from 35 - 90 pounds of meat at one sitting, beginning at the rump of the prey. If undisturbed, they will return to the carcass for 3-6 days, feeding until it has completely consumed its kill. Because tigers are not the most successful of hunters, only killing 1 in every 10-20 attempts, it may be several days before it has its next meal. In the wild, cooperative hunting among tigers has also been observed where couples and families hunted like a pride of lions. This, however, is the exception not the rule. Unlike the other felids, man is a regular part of the tiger’s diet and has earned them greatest reputation as man-eaters. The most common prey items are various species of deer and pig, but they will also take crocodiles, young elephants and rhinos, monkeys, birds, fish, leopards, bears, and even their own kind. They have also been reported to eat carrion.
Reproduction & Offspring: Tigers can breed at any time of the year, but they typically mate in winter or spring. Tigers appear to reach maturity at about 4 years of age, although earlier maturity has been recorded. Gestation is normally 103 days. The usual number of cubs is two or three, though there may be as many as six.

The cubs are blind and helpless at birth weighing about 3 pounds each. Their eyes usually open by the tenth day, although some zoo-born cubs have their eyes open as soon as they are born. During the first 8 weeks the cubs consume only their mother's milk. They are suckled for 5 or 6 months.

The cubs leave the den for the first time when they are 2 months old. They are wholly dependent until they are about 6 months old when they learn how to kill. They can hunt for themselves by the time they are about 18 months old and are fully independent at two years of age. Longevity in the wild is 15 years and 20 years in captivity.
Life span: 15 to 20 years in captivity.

Conservation Status: The South China Tiger is the most Critically Endangered (IUCN) of all of the living tiger subspecies. Considered by many experts as the "Stem" tiger. The subspecies in which all other tigers may have evolved from! Wild populations are less then 30 animals. In addition to wild populations, about 50 individuals live in zoos, all located with-in China. Unfortunitly all of these animals were decentants of only six "Founder Animals". As a result, very limited genetic diversity exists for a captive breading program.

Facts about South China Tiger:
- Also known as the Amoy Tiger.
- Also known as the Chinese Tiger.
- Most endangered of the tiger subspecies.
- Considered to be the evolutionary ancestor of all tiger.
- The only zoo's that have this tiger are in China.

Range:

Malaysia and southern Thailand

MALAYAN TIGER (Panthera tigris jacksoni)

One of six living subspecies of tiger, the Malayan tiger wears the characteristic striping pattern of black stripes on orange and white that provides excellent camouflage in the forest. Using its quiet stalking ability, a tiger will ambush large prey, often pouncing on it from the rear. Other than females with their young, tigers are solitary and come together only to mate. Each tiger defends its own territory from others of the same gender. Territories must be large to provide enough prey for a tiger to eat. As more and more forests disappear, tigers struggle to maintain a territory with sufficient prey.

• A tiger may travel up to 20 miles a night in search of prey.
• Unlike most cats, tigers seem to enjoy swimming and soaking in water.
• A tiger’s roar can be heard up to two miles away.
• One out of every 10,000 tigers will lack the orange coloring. These white tigers are not albinos; they simply express a recessive gene.

Fact File

• 
  
• Length: 7.6 to 9.3 ft
• Weight: 220 to 400 lbs
• Lifespan: 15 yrs in wild
• Habitat: Forest
• Prey: Deer, wild pigs, and cattle
• 
  
• Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Endangered)

Indochinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti)

The Indochinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) is more commonly known as the Indochinese, or Malayan tiger, and was recognized as a subspecies as recently as 1968 from a tiger discovered in the vicinity of a coastal town in Central Vietnam. Corbetti is a smaller, darker, and less boldly striped tiger than the Bengal subspecies found in India. Males can reach a length of 9 feet and may obtain weights in excess of 400 pounds. Female Indochinese Tigers like other female tiger subspecies, are smaller then their male counterparts. Females achieve a head to tail length of eight feet and weigh approximately 250 pounds.

In 1930, it is estimated the Indochinese Tigers population in Malaysia alone was over 3,000 animals. Due to the rapid spread of firearms and the opening of forests for agriculture, human settlement, and mining, these numbers have drastically declined. Cambodia supports a large percentage of this population, with 50% forest cover remaining.

Corbetti inhabits the forest hills and mountainous, rugged terrain in this area. Current plans are underway to sell off much this unprotected territory to logging companies. It is estimated that there are only 1200 to 1800 Indochinese Tigers are left in the wild with an additional 60 animals being maintained in American and Asian zoos under the auspices of captive breeding programs.

The largest wild populations of Indochinese Tigers now live in Thailand. They also inhabit southern China, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Within this range, corbetti inhabits the remote forests hills and mountainous terrain of the region. Much of this terrain lies between the borders of multiple countries with extremely limited access. Due to the restricted status of these areas, biologists have only recently been granted permits to study this rare feline in the field. As a result, very little is known about the status of this subspecies and its behaviors in the wild.

The Indochinese tiger needs protection in order to survive and continued implementation of sound conservation efforts to save the species from becoming extinct in the wild. Let us all hope that the various captive management programs are successful in their attempts to save this unique subspecies of tiger. Without human intervention and global protection, the Indochinese Tiger will surely become extinct.

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris corbetti
Range: Southern China, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Average Weight:
Female: 100kg - 130kg (221 - 287 pounds)
Male: 150kg - 195kg (330- 430 pounds)
Size (Length):
Female: 2.31m-2.64m (7'-7"- 8'-8")
Male: 2.57m-2.84m (8-5"- 9'-4")
Diet: All tigers are carnivorous. Indochinese tiger's prey consists mostly of antelope, wild boar, wild pigs, and a variety of other hooved mammals indigenous to their territory areas.
Gestation Period: 100-119 Days (Averaging 103 Days)
Cub Maturity: 18 months - 2 Years
Cubs Per Litter: (Usually 2-3 cubs) Cubs are born blind and weigh 2-3 pounds. 18-26 month intervals.
Lifespan: 14-16 Years
Predators: Man
Social Structure: Solitary, except during mating season. Male territory may sometimes overlap.
Territory Size: 257km (160 miles)
Population (Wild): 1,000 - 1,800
Captive (SSP): 50-70 in Zoos worldwide
Conservation Status: CITES Appendix 1. (All wildcats are listed on CITES Appendix I or II).

Siberian Tiger Panthera tigris altaica

Siberian (or Amur) tigers are the world's largest cats. They live primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests, though some exist in China and North Korea. There are an estimated 400 to 500 Siberian tigers living in the wild, and recent studies suggest that these numbers are stable. Though their northern climate is far harsher than those of other tigers, these animals have some advantages. Northern forests offer the lowest human density of any tiger habitat, and the most complete ecosystem. The vast woodlands also allow tigers far more room to roam, as Russia's timber industry is currently less extensive than that of many other countries.

Tigers are the largest of all wild cats and are renowned for their power and strength. There were once eight tiger subspecies, but three became extinct during the 20th century. Over the last hundred years, hunting and forest destruction have reduced overall tiger populations from hundreds of thousands to perhaps 3,000 to 5,000. Tigers are hunted as trophies and also for body parts that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. All five remaining tiger subspecies are endangered, and many protection programs are in place. Poaching is a reduced—but still very significant—threat to Siberian tigers.

Tigers live alone and aggressively scent-mark large territories to keep their rivals away. They are powerful hunters that travel many miles to find prey, such as elk and wild boar, on nocturnal hunts. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes) and hunt by stealth. They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds (27 kilograms) in one night, though they usually eat less.

Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous maneaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in areas where their traditional prey has vanished.

Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old, and remain with their mothers for two to three years, when they disperse to find their own territory.

Bengal tiger

The Bengal tiger, or Royal Bengal tiger , equals a race of tiger mainly obtained in India and Bangladesh. They are also obtained in regions of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and south Tibet. The Bengal tiger is among the biggest and the just about a lot of of the tiger race, with approximately 1,411 wild tigers being accounted by the Government of India's National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Onetime got hold throughout the Indian subcontinent, the Bengal tiger's instinctive habitat has drastically cut down due to their expanding interactions with mankind. Most tigers in India, home to almost 50% of the Earth tiger population, are broke up into numerous small separated populations building them defenseless to extinction.

It's traditionally been believed the 2nd biggest race after the Siberian tiger. They are the basal tiger race, existing in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, semitropical and equatorial rain forests, scrub forests, wet and dry deciduous forests, and mangroves. The Bengal race P. tigris tigris is the national animal of Bangladesh, although at the species grade, the tiger Panthera tigris is the national animal of India .