Where tigers are found. Anatomical and physiological features of tigers and characteristic diseases. Tigers and people
There are nine subspecies of tigers in the world. These are the Malay, Amur, Bengal, Sumatran, South China and Indochinese tigers.
If these six subspecies can still be found today, then the remaining three subspecies, such as the Caspian, Bali and Javanese tigers, were exterminated by humans or became extinct due to the destruction of their habitat.
Amur or Ussuri tiger
The largest subspecies of predatory cats. Adult male length Ussuri tiger(lat. Panthera tigris altaica) can reach 280 cm, and weight - 320 kg. Moreover, the length of one, only the tail is approximately one meter. Not surprisingly, these tigers have a great need for food and are able to eat up to 25 kg at a time. meat. Thus, in order for the Amur tiger to be always full of energy, it must consume at least 9 kg per day. meat. However, it is known that in the absence of prey, the tiger can stay on a starvation ration for a week.
Bengal tiger
This predatory cat, as the name implies, is a Bengal tiger (lat. Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis) lives in India. However, sometimes it can be found in neighboring countries. This subspecies has approximately 1200 individuals, the size of which is not much inferior to the size of the Siberian tiger - 3 meters long and 260 kg. weight.
Indochinese tiger or Corbet tiger
Distributed in the southernmost regions of China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. There are approximately 900 individuals of this subspecies. The population of these tigers (lat. Panthera tigris corbetti) is poorly studied, since tigers usually live in the hard-to-reach forests of Indochina.
Malayan tiger
Six years ago, in the course of research, it became known about another subspecies of tigers - the Malayan (lat. Panthera tigris jacksoni). The number of individuals of this subspecies is five hundred.
Chinese tiger
Judging by the fact that in nature, namely in the central and southeastern parts of China, there are only 20 individuals left, this subspecies of tigers (lat. Panthera tigris amoyensis) is considered a rare and almost extinct species.
Sumatran tiger
The life of this subspecies takes place in Sumatra. IN wild nature there are about 400 individuals, the remaining 235 languish in zoos. With development Agriculture the number of individuals began to noticeably decrease in connection with which a program was launched to organize national parks. Sumatran tiger (lat. Panthera tigris sumatrae) are much smaller than other subspecies. So, an adult male weighs a maximum of 140 kg.
As for the completely exterminated subspecies ...
Caspian or Turanian tiger
(lat. Panthera tigris virgata) could previously be found in Central Asia and throughout the territory to the Caucasus. The coat color of this subspecies was bright red, and the stripes were longer with a brownish tinge. With the onset of cold weather, the fur became fluffy and thick, and lush sideburns also grew. Exterminated in the 1970s.
Javan tiger
They lived on the island of Java (Indonesia). It was considered the smallest subspecies (lat. Panthera tigris sondaica) . Its weight was no more than 140 kg with a body length of 245 cm. The weight and size of females was half that of males. It was exterminated relatively recently - in the 1980s.
Bali tiger
Lived on the island of Bali and is completely extinct. The smallest in weight and size than other predatory cats. body (lat. Panthera tigris balica) was covered with short bright orange fur with black stripes, the number of which was much less than that of other subspecies. Exterminated in the 1940s.
color mutations
Tigers are characterized by a coat color mutation. It is for this reason that they are often born, which, however, does not mean that they belong to albinos. After all, their hair, albeit white, is covered with black stripes, and the color of their eyes is blue or amber, which is characteristic of tigers with a normal color.
In addition, their not belonging to albinos can be judged by the presence of melanin, the amount of which is not large, but still present, which cannot be said about albinos. Birth at one time or another can occur in each subspecies. But if one of the parents was of the Amur subspecies, then the baby is more likely to be born white. In addition to white tigers, there are even more exotic tigers in nature. The coat of this subspecies is light with brown stripes.
The white patches of fur are larger than those of tigers of other subspecies. distributed not only among purebred Bengal tigers, it can often be found among those in whose veins the blood of the Amur subspecies flows.
Well, in conclusion, a video about tigers ...
The tiger is the largest member of the cat family. The body length of the animal can reach 2.5 meters, and this is without taking into account the tail, and the weight of some individuals is 390 kilograms. Although the tiger is the largest cat on our planet, its population has decreased significantly. Of the nine subspecies that once flourished, only six remain today: the Indian, Amur or Ussuri, Bengal, South China, Malayan and Sumatran tigers. All of them are protected and listed in the Red Book.
Tigers live their lives adult life alone in busy territory. Seeing a stranger in their area, males always enter into a fight. Unlike males, females can exist peacefully in coinciding areas.
What do tigers eat?
All tigers are predators and the basis of their diet is meat. The diet of a tiger may depend only on its habitat. For example, the main loot Bengali tigers are wild boar, Indian sambar, nilgai and axis. Sumatran hunts wild boar, tapir and sambar deer. Amur tiger eats musk deer, spotted and red deer, roe deer, wild boars. Also, Indian buffaloes, elks, pheasants, hares, monkeys and even fish become prey for tigers. A hungry animal can eat frogs, rodents and other small animals. In addition to animal food, tigers and berries are consumed.
There are also facts that tigers also eat predators: leopards, crocodiles, wolves, boas, and even Himalayan and brown bears and cubs. Most often, male Amur tigers enter the fight with bears. Although such a fight can be fatal for both the tiger and the bear, they still fight quite often.
In addition to the facts of attacks on bears, there is information that tigers also attack small Indian elephants. Such a hunt is often crowned with success.
The animal hunts alone, attacking its prey from behind, making a jump and grabbing the prey by the neck. A tiger can drag its prey even of the largest sizes in its teeth to the desired distance.
Man, considering himself the master of the planet, unfortunately, has already exterminated a large number of animals from the face of the Earth. The threat of extinction looms over the largest cats - tigers. This large mammals and although they themselves are predators, there are not so many of them left on Earth. Today they are listed in the Red Book, hunting for them is prohibited. Their habitat is Asia. For those who do not know where tigers live, here are the specific areas:
- Far East;
- China;
- India;
- Iran;
- Afghanistan;
- countries South-East Asia.
Depending on the habitat, they are divided into several types. Each of them bears the name of the locality, on this moment. So, the Amur live in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories of Russia, the royal Nepalese live in India, Nepal. There is also an Indochinese subspecies, it can be found in South China, Laos, Vietnam, and the Sumatran species of these beautiful animals lives on.
Tigers in Russia
It is impossible to tell in one article about each of the species of these huge striped cats and where tigers live, so we will focus on only one of them - the Ussuri. It lives in the Far Eastern taiga and is its most important decoration. This large mammal can reach a length of up to 290 cm, while having a tail half its body long.
For many Far Eastern peoples, it is a kind of object of worship. Despite his strength, he turned out to be very vulnerable and has a dramatic fate. Already in the 1930s, he was on the verge of extinction due to hunting. And only by the 1960s. the number has increased slightly. However, to this day there are those who want to hunt for him, although it is not so easy to find places where tigers live in the taiga. They are listed in the Red Book and protected by law in all countries of the world.
Popular misconception
Many mistakenly believe that tigers mainly live in Africa. However, this is misleading. These strong cats are an exclusively Asian species, in Africa they live only in zoos, they are not there in their natural habitat. But were they ever there? Many scientists are trying to solve this question, but reliable data has not yet been found.
In the legends of some African peoples it is said that saber-toothed tigers lived on the continent, but it is difficult to answer whether this is actually so. It is believed that this species existed in Eurasia and America, but for a very long time, about 30 thousand years ago. But from Africa, information about its existence is still being received, but so far they have not been able to find evidence of this. All information is based only on the stories of hunters who allegedly met with him. However, scientists believe that this animal species was closer to lions. They lived in prides and hunted together, while the tiger always lives alone. In the process of evolution, these beautiful and large cats may have split into several different species.
unusual animals
In the cat family, white individuals sometimes come across. There are such among the tigers. They are found in North and Central India, as well as in some other countries. Usually albino cubs are born from ordinary red individuals. In nature, their survival rate is almost zero, all because of the color. They cannot hunt normally and are usually doomed to death. To survive, they are kept in zoos.
The tiger is one of the largest felines. The predatory beast is famous not only for its size, but also for its beauty, strength, and grace.
There are only six species of representatives of striped cats in the world, although there were nine of them 100 years ago. The population of the strong beast is declining every day. The reason for this, like most of the losses of our huge planet, is man. Pollution of nature, the extermination of tigers by poachers has greatly affected the population of the largest cat on Earth.
This article describes what are the largest tigers in the world, their differences and lifestyle.
Malay
This species lives on the Malay Peninsula, and more precisely in its southern part. They live in dense forests and lead a twilight lifestyle. During the day they bask in blissful relaxation, and night vision is not enough for hunting.
Malayan tigers hunt patiently and for a long time. They watch their prey, moving from one hiding place to another in anticipation of dinner. When the moment is right, they jump out and pounce on the target. If the attempt fails, they look for another one rather than go in pursuit.
Male wild cats lead a solitary life, while females live with their children. They do not live in one territory, but are found only for mating. There is a fierce fight for the female because of her ability to fertilize once every 2 years.
This type of cat is distinguished not only by its patience, but also by its love of water. He can spend most of the day in it during the hot season.
The weight of an adult individual reaches 120 kg, and the body length is 2 meters 370 cm maximum. For its large size, the Malay opens the top of the largest tigers.
The largest number of man-eating cats was recorded precisely of this subspecies. Malayan wild cats were hunted purposefully, and, protecting themselves and their offspring, the beast ate offenders.
Sumatran
This species of predatory beast is the second largest of the living ones from the end. The tiger lives in Indonesia and only on the island of Sumatra.
It owes its small size to living in the jungle. Among thickets of dense forest large predator it would not be easy to hunt.
The Sumatran tiger differs from its fellows in its special structure and increased aggressiveness. He has short legs and a small body size, which helps him during the hunt to pursue his prey for a long time until it loses strength and surrenders to the pursuer.
There are only about 700 Sumatran tigers left. The growth of this species of cats reaches 60 cm at the withers, the length of the largest Sumatran tiger is 2 meters 700 cm, and the weight is up to 130 kg.
Males are very good family men. During the pregnancy of a tigress, the male is always there and stays with her until the cubs grow up, after that he leaves and leads a solitary life.
Chinese
The very name of the species speaks of its origin. Not so long ago, these animals inhabited most of China, but now they are on the verge of extinction. There are only 20 rare cats left.
The Chinese tiger is the fastest living species. Unlike his Sumatran younger brother, he does not seek to drive his prey to impotence when hunting. The tiger, if possible, tries to overwhelm its target on the spot, biting into the back of the neck.
In length, it reaches a maximum of 2 meters 600 cm, less than the first debutant of the list, but it weighs much more, up to 177 kg.
From 1964 until 2007, the Chinese wild cat species was thought to be extinct. The individual was accidentally noticed by one of the residents of the countryside and showed the photo to the authorities. From now on, the protection of the miraculously surviving Chinese tiger dealt with with great seriousness.
The roar of a tiger is the same as fingerprints for a person. General characteristics distinguish species from each other, and low various notes emphasize the individuality of each individual separately. The largest tiger, oddly enough, is the most silent, and the smallest and most aggressive, on the contrary, likes to growl.
Indochinese
This species lives in southeast Asia and is listed in the Red Book. Not whimsical in choosing a place permanent residence. It can settle on the banks of the river, and in the forest, and on rocky terrain.
His lifestyle is no different from the Malay tiger, so until 2006 they were considered from one subspecies. Scientists have found minor genetic and external differences. The Indochinese tiger is stronger and more powerful and, unlike its twin, much more secretive, but this did not stop the man from almost exterminating the entire population.
On given time there are about 1500 individuals of this species. It reaches a length of 2 meters 900 cm, and its weight ranges from 110 to 190 kg.
If a tiger of any kind tries at least once human meat, then he will no longer be able to stop and turns into a cannibal.
Bengal
This is another largest tiger in the world. He occupies the silver second place, but in terms of numbers - the first. But still, like all species, this strong beast is on the verge of extinction. The habitat halo of the Bengal tiger is extensive. It can be found in both India and Pakistan.
A loner, like most representatives of this category of cats. Prefers to hunt at dusk. The ideal time is sunrise or sunset. Anyone can envy his patience. Sitting in ambush and waiting for the right moment, not in a hurry to rush to the prey. But, when this moment comes, he jumps on the target with a lightning movement and, pressing him to the ground, chokes him.
There are about 4,000 Bengal tigers on the planet. A large and powerful animal reaches 3 meters and 100 cm in length. The average weight of an adult male is 220 kg.
The color of the animal depends on the frequency of black stripes on the skin of the tiger: the more there are, the darker it is. The stripes on the predator's fur are also duplicated on its skin, so even a bald tiger will be striped, this makes the wild cat related to its domestic counterpart.
Bengal cats most often give birth to tiger cubs with abnormal coloration. It can be either a few tones lighter than usual, or completely white.
Amur
The largest feline representative lives in Russia, or rather on Far East. The Amur tiger is also found in northeast China, only 10% of the population.
Powerful, big, hardy. In terms of strength, he has no equal among his relatives. He can drag prey half a kilometer. He is not afraid of bad weather either: the Amur tiger will endure any frost.
Prefers to live in places where there is a lot of potential food for him. If it is enough for him, the tiger will not cross human possessions, and even more so will not attack the owner. Only a strong and debilitating hunger can push him to such a desperate step.
The Amur tiger has the longest coat. This helps him endure even the most severe frosty bad weather.
In Russia, a law has been introduced that threatens with a fine of 100,000 rubles and a prison term of 2 years for killing this majestic animal. The Amur tiger needs a vast territory, one individual occupies up to 100 square meters. km, and the settlement of Siberian lands by people deprived the cat of open spaces. This led to the disappearance of tigers no less than poachers.
The subspecies of the Amur tiger was almost exterminated 100 years ago, but today the population has greatly increased, and now there is no reason to fear its disappearance.
Today, there are already 470 individuals of the Amur giant. The largest tiger that lives on our planet weighs up to 300 kg. In length, it reaches 3 meters and 800 cm. With its impressive size, the largest weight of an adult male was recorded, which amounted to 384 kg.
The Amur tiger has several names such as Ussuri and Siberian. On the coats of arms of the cities of Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk - the main character.
The tiger is the great predator of our planet, which is dying out every year because of man. The land has already lost the Caspian, Bali and Javanese, the next in line is the Chinese. If people do not change their attitude to nature, then in a few hundred years this beautiful beast can only be seen in paintings and museums.
Tigers are the largest land predators, second only to polar and brown bears in weight. There are 9 subspecies of the tiger, of which only 6 have survived in the 21st century. The total population is 4000-6500 individuals. Tigers are listed in the Red Book of the IUCN and many countries of the world, and hunting for them is prohibited everywhere.
The tiger is the largest and heaviest wild cat, but known subspecies vary markedly in size and weight.
Dimensions
The largest are the Bengal and Amur tigers. Males in length from 2.3 to 2.5 m, with a body weight of about 300 kg. The height at the withers reaches 1.15 m. Females are usually inferior to males in size.
Body
Tigers have a massive, elongated, muscular, flexible body. The tail is long, pubescent. The front paws are five-fingered, the hind legs are four-fingered, the claws are retractable. The head is rounded, the forehead is convex. The ears are small and rounded. Tanks are located on the sides of the head. White vibrissae are arranged in 4-5 rows. The animal has well developed fangs, up to 8 cm in length. Tigers have well-developed night vision and color vision.
Color
The wool is low, sparse, dense and low in the southern subspecies, high and fluffy in the northern ones. The coloration is from rusty red to rusty brown, the belly, chest and paws are light inside. Light markings are also visible on the ears. The body is covered with stripes painted in brown or black. The muzzle is below the nostrils, the vibrissa area, the chin are white, there are black spots around the mouth. The tail has a black tip and transverse stripes-rings. The shape and distance between the stripes are varied in subspecies, but their number is on average about 100. The arrangement of stripes in tigers is unique for each individual.
What does it eat
The diet of tigers mainly consists of ungulates: Bengal tigers prey on sambar, axis, wild boar and nilgai; Amur tigers prey on red and spotted deer, wild boars, roe deer and musk deer; Sumatran tigers - sambara, wild boar and black-backed tapirs. Among the prey of tigers there are also large herbivores, for example, Indian buffaloes, gaurs and elks. Monkey, pheasant, hare, reptiles and fish fall into their diet. Sometimes tigers also hunt domestic animals: dogs, cows, horses and donkeys. Vegetable food, nuts, grass and fruits can be enjoyed in the summer.
Complete nutrition for a tiger is 50-70 ungulates per year. At one time, the meal is 30-40 kg of meat. The lack of food is tolerated relatively easily by the tiger due to the presence of a subcutaneous layer of fat about 5 cm thick.
Where does it live?
The tiger is an Asian animal. Its historical range included the Russian Far East, Iran, Afghanistan, China, India and the countries of Southeast Asia.
To date, the tiger has been exterminated in most of these territories, large populations have survived only in India and Indochina and the Far East (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Iran, Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan , Russia, Thailand).
Tigers live in a wide variety of landscapes: in wet tropical forests, mangrove swamps and bamboo thickets in the tropics, in dry savannahs, semi-deserts, bare rocky hills and taiga in the north. In the mountains they are found at altitudes up to 3000 m above sea level.
Common types
There are 9 subspecies of the tiger, of which three are now completely exterminated.
Known as Ussuri, Siberian, Manchu or North Chinese, distributed in the Amur region, in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk regions of Russia. The population size reaches about 500 individuals.
The Amur tiger is a large subspecies. It is distinguished by thick, long and fluffy coat, light color and many stripes.
Nominative subspecies that lives in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar. The population is estimated at 3100-4500 animals, but it is still under threat due to poaching. The average weight of males is 205-227 kg, for females - 140-150 kg.
Distributed in Cambodia, Myanmar, southern China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. The number of individuals is 1200-1800. This subspecies is distinguished by a darker color. The average weight of males is from 150 to 190 kg, for females this figure is in the range of 110-140 kg.
Distributed only in the south of the Malay Peninsula. Previously, the population of this subspecies was attributed to the Indochinese tigers, but according to genetic studies at the beginning of the 21st century, it was isolated as an independent subspecies. Its number is estimated at 600-800 individuals, that is, it is the third largest in nature.
An inhabitant of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where there are about 400-500 animals. This is the smallest of all subspecies: the weight of males is 100-130 kg, females weigh 70-90 kg.
This subspecies small size is under the greatest threat of extinction. Body length 2.2-2.6 meters, weight of males 127-177 kg, females - 100-118 kg. Now 59 individuals are kept in captivity in China, and they are trying to introduce them into the wild.
Male and female: main differences
Sexual dimorphism in tigers is manifested in the larger size of males compared to females. Both males and females are colored the same.
Tiger behavior
Tigers are most active in the morning, evening and night. They usually spend the day in their lairs. They move in big steps. They don't climb trees. They do not avoid water and swim well, and residents of the southern regions even bathe regularly. Tigers are hardy and low temperatures. They molt twice a year: in March and September.
Tigers are mostly silent and rarely raise their voices. Only during the mating season, males begin to roar deafly, and when they are angry or attack prey, they growl. An adult tiger is a territorial animal that leads a solitary life and fiercely defends its territory. The tiger marks its personal territory in various ways, leaves urine marks on tree trunks, rocks, bushes, loosens snow or soil, rubs against trees and leaves scratches on the trunks. The size of personal territories is determined by the habitat, the amount of prey, the presence of females (for males). Tigresses usually occupy an area of about 20 km², and males - 60-100 km². Females can live in the territory of the male.
The territorial behavior of males is very aggressive, they do not let strangers into their territory and enter into serious battles with them, they get along only with tigresses. In turn, females normally get along with each other and can put up with intersecting areas.
Tigers hunt only alone, either by sneaking up on prey (in winter) or lying in wait for it in ambush (in summer). Their victims are often hunted down near bodies of water. Prey can be pursued 100-150 m, reaching speeds up to 60 km / h.
reproduction
Tigers are polygamous animals. mating season they are in December-January. At this time, males often fight for females. Since the tigress is capable of fertilizing only a few days a year, mating occurs many times during this time. The first offspring in females is observed at the age of 3-4 years. A tigress usually gives birth once every 2-3 years. The duration of pregnancy is 97-112 days.
To breed offspring, the female arranges a den in a hard-to-reach place: in crevices among stones, in a cave, windbreak. Tiger cubs are born in March-April, there are 2-4 of them, they are blind, helpless, weigh 1.3-1.5 kg, their eyes are opened after 6-8 days. The first 6 weeks are breastfeeding. Only the female takes care of them, and the males do not let them in. At 8 weeks old, the cubs leave the den and follow their mother. They start independent life at 18 months, but can stay with the female until they reach puberty.
Females become sexually mature at 3-4 years, males at 4-5 years. During the life of the female brings 10-20 cubs, but half die at a young age. In nature, tigers live for about 25 years.
tiger threat
Throughout its range, the tiger is at the top of the food chain and other predators do not attack or compete with it. On the contrary, tigers attack wolves, leopards and pythons. The danger to each other is represented by the Amur tiger and Brown bear. Crocodiles are potentially dangerous for tigers.
The main factor that limits the size of the tiger population is the economic activity of people and hunting for trophy (for skins) and for medicinal purposes (used in traditional oriental medicine).
Through hunting and destruction natural environment habitat, the number of tigers is rapidly declining. A hundred years ago, the population was estimated at 100,000 wild tigers, and now there are about 5,000 left. About 20,000 animals are kept in captivity, which prevents the complete destruction of the species. In addition, tigers are under international protection, listed in the IUCN Red Book, hunting for them is strictly prohibited.
- July 29th is International Tiger Day.
- The destruction of tigers was associated with the use of their organs and tissues in traditional oriental (Chinese) medicine. The best-known medical products of this type are painkillers and aphrodisiacs. Now such use is prohibited and criminally punished; but illegal trade still persists.