According to Dang (1994), tigers can trace their ancestry back to niacis, civet-like creatures that lived during the era of the dinosaurs approximately 60 million years ago. These small mammals, characterized by long bodies and flexible limbs, gradually evolved into various species including cats, bears, dogs, and weasels. Presently, there are around 37 known cat species (Dang, 1994). Tigers originated in eastern Asia, although specifics are not well-defined. It’s important to note that modern tigers did not descend from sabre-tooth tigers. Sabre-tooth tigers belonged to a distinct lineage within the cat family and became extinct millions of years ago.
The Siberian or Amur tiger is primarily found in eastern Russia, with a few also found in northeastern China and northern North Korea. According to Tilson (1995), there are estimated to be 437-506 Siberian tigers still existing in the wild. Additionally, zoo conservation programs manage around 490 captive Siberian tigers (Tilson, 1995). On the other hand, the South China tiger, which is the most critically endangered of all tiger subspecies, is found in central and eastern China. Dang (1994) estimates that only 20-30 South China tigers remain in the wild.
The Indochinese tiger is primarily found in Thailand, Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and peninsular Malaysia. There are an estimated 1,180-1,790 Indochinese tigers in the wild and approximately 60 in zoos (Tilson, 1995). Bengal tigers can be found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan ,and Myanmar. The wild population of Bengal tigers is around 3,060-4,735 with about 333 in captivity mainly in Indian zoos (Dang ,1994). White tigers are essentially white-colored Bengal tigers and they are not a separate subspecies or albinos. They have blue eyes ,a pink nose ,and creamy white fur with chocolate-colored stripes. White tigers are rare and only exist in zoos as both parent tigers need to carry the gene for white coloring for them to be born. The Sumatran tiger is exclusive to Indonesia’s Sumatra island.There are approximately 400-500 wild Sumatran tigers primarily located in the island’s five national parks (Dang ,1994). Furthermore ,235 Sumatran tigers reside in zoos worldwide.
In the past 70 years, three subspecies of tigers have faced extinction. These include the Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata), which inhabited regions like Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Mongolia, and Central Asia of Russia. It is presumed to have disappeared in the 1950s. The Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) once roamed the Indonesian island of Java but was last sighted in 1972. Lastly, the Bali tiger (Panthera tigris balica) was found in Bali and is believed to have been killed for the last time in 1937.
Tigers exhibit social behavior, although adult tigers typically live alone and establish territories in regions with sufficient prey, cover, and water. The challenges of finding food in tiger habitats make solo hunting more efficient for them, which is why they do not usually form social groups as lions do. However, a female tiger and her cubs form a family unit for a period of 2 to 3 years until the cubs become independent (Dang, 1994). A tiger’s territory typically spans approximately 10 to 30 square miles, but this can expand to as large as 120 square miles for Siberian tigers (Tilson, 1995). Both male and female tigers mark their paths by spraying a combination of urine and scent gland secretions on bushes and trees, actively proclaiming their territory. They also leave markings on trees and use urine or droppings for this purpose.
Female tigers achieve maturity at around 3 years old, while males reach maturity about a year later (Dang, 1994). In temperate regions, tigresses only go into heat seasonally, but in tropical regions, they may experience heat throughout the year. They indicate their readiness through scent marking and roaring to locate a mate. The act of copulation occurs repeatedly over a period of five days. Tigers are ovulated when stimulated by frequent copulation. The male tiger’s penis has spines to stimulate ovulation. This partially explains why the female reacts by roaring and lashing out at the male immediately after copulation.
After mating, tigers have a gestation period of approximately 103 days (Tilson, 1995). On average, tigers give birth to 2 or 3 cubs, with one usually dying at birth (Tilson, 1995). These tiger cubs are born blind and weigh only around 2 to 3 pounds (Tilson, 1995). For the first 6-8 weeks, they rely solely on their mother’s milk for nourishment (Tilson, 1995). After this period, the female tiger starts bringing them along for hunts in order to feed (Tilson, 1995). By the time they reach 18 months of age, these young tigers are able to make their own kills (Tilson, 1995). The exact timing of when young tigers leave their mother’s territory varies from a year and a half to three years of age, depending on whether the mother has another litter (Tilson, 1995). Female tigers tend to stay closer to the
Across much of the tiger’s extensive geographic range, its primary prey consists of wild pig, wild cattle, and various species of deer (Tilson, 1995). All of these prey animals are forest or grassland ungulates, ranging in size from 65 to 2,000 pounds. Tigers are skilled ambush hunters, diligently tracking their prey and getting as close as possible before initiating an attack. Once they are within striking distance, tigers pounce on their prey, biting the neck or throat. Smaller or medium-sized prey typically fall victim to the neck bite, which targets the spinal cord. On the other hand, larger animals are subjected to the throat bite, causing suffocation. After killing their prey, tigers transport the carcass to a secure location to prevent others from feeding on it. They often carry their prey up into tall trees. Typically, wild tigers gorge themselves on fresh kills and can consume up to 40 pounds of meat in one sitting (Dang, 1994). It may take several days before hunger compels them to hunt again.
Tiger attacks on humans are not common but do occur. The increase in the Asian human population has led to a conflict between farmers, loggers, and tigers as they encroach on their habitats. It is believed that most tigers who consume humans are sick or injured and unable to hunt their usual prey. Once they have tasted human flesh, they continue to prey on humans. While man-eating tigers are uncommon in most parts of Asia, they are prevalent in the Sunderbans where no human population resides in the mangrove forests and swamps. The Sunderban tigers specifically target humans as their prey, resulting in reported attacks every year. Various measures have been implemented to address the issue of man-eating tigers in the Sunderbans.
One method involves using human dummies equipped with electric wires attached to car batteries, which deliver an electric shock when touched by a tiger. Another method employs a simple mask resembling a human face, worn on the back of the head. This effectively gives the wearer a second face, making it appear as if both sides are the front. This technique is employed because tigers tend to attack from behind. While this approach appeared successful for several years, the Sunderban, without further discussion, remains a particularly intriguing place to study tigers. Tigers can be dangerous if their territory is invaded. They can be found in open areas as well as zoos. If you wish to observe tigers, visiting a zoo is advisable. Tigers are facing extinction due to encroachment on their habitats, and it is essential to protect them from this fate.
