Overview
Tigers are the largest living cat species and one of the most iconic endangered animals on Earth. Found across Asia from the frozen forests of Siberia to the tropical jungles of Sumatra, these magnificent predators are solitary, territorial, and crucial apex predators in their ecosystems. Despite decades of decline, global tiger numbers have started to increase thanks to intensive conservation efforts, rising from roughly 3,200 in 2010 to approximately 4,500 today.
Subspecies
Bengal Tiger
The most numerous subspecies, found primarily in India, with smaller populations in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. India is home to about 70% of all wild tigers.
Siberian (Amur) Tiger
The largest subspecies, inhabiting the Russian Far East. These tigers have thicker fur and a pale coat adapted to cold, snowy environments. About 600 remain in the wild.
Sumatran Tiger
The smallest and most critically endangered subspecies, found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Fewer than 400 remain due to severe deforestation.
Indochinese & Malayan Tigers
Found in Southeast Asia, both subspecies have fewer than 500 individuals remaining and face ongoing threats from poaching and habitat fragmentation.
Physical Characteristics
Distinctive Stripes
Every tiger's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. The stripes serve as camouflage in dappled forest light and help individual tigers identify each other.
Size & Power
Male Bengal tigers can weigh up to 570 lb (260 kg) and measure over 10 feet from nose to tail. Their powerful jaws exert a bite force of approximately 1,050 PSI.
Swimming Ability
Unlike most cats, tigers are strong swimmers and regularly cross rivers and lakes. They often cool off in pools and streams and have been recorded swimming up to 18 miles (29 km).
Night Hunters
Tigers have night vision roughly six times better than humans. They are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting between dusk and dawn.
Behavior & Ecology
Solitary Nature
Tigers are solitary animals, with each individual maintaining a large territory. Male territories can span up to 400 square miles and may overlap with those of several females.
Hunting & Diet
Tigers are ambush predators that primarily hunt deer, wild boar, and buffalo. They can consume up to 88 lb (40 kg) of meat in a single feeding and may go several days between successful hunts.
Territorial Marking
Tigers mark their territories using scent spraying, scratching trees, and leaving scat along pathways. These signals warn other tigers to stay away.
Threats & Conservation
Poaching
Tigers are poached for their skins, bones, and other body parts used in traditional Asian medicine, despite international bans on the trade. This remains the single greatest threat to their survival.
Habitat Loss
Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development has destroyed vast areas of tiger habitat, fragmenting populations and reducing prey availability.
Conservation Success
India's Project Tiger, established in 1973, has been instrumental in tiger recovery. Tiger reserves, anti-poaching patrols, and international cooperation through the Global Tiger Initiative have helped stabilize and grow tiger populations.
Future Outlook
The goal set by 13 tiger-range countries is to double the wild tiger population. Continued funding, habitat protection, and anti-poaching enforcement are critical to achieving this.
