Tiger

Tigers (species Panthera tigris) are large, orange cats with their recognisable black stripes running down the body. They are the largest big cat, with the siberian tiger clocking in at 675 lb at the most. They live in Asia and their ancestors may have split from other cats some 3.9 million years ago, and the tiger itself diverged from the snow leopard just 700 thousand years after.

Geographic Range

Tigers are known from only Asia, and contrary to the saying 'lions, tigers and bears'. Bears nor tigers live in Africa. They range from Siberia all the way down to south-east asia, depending on subspecies. They live in rainforests where they can stalk their prey.

Prey

Tigers are obligate carnivores, hunting animals from monkeys and peafowl to wild pigs and deer. However, if they break their teeth, humans may possibly be on the menu.

Behaviour

They sneak up on prey, using the orange fur as an advantage because prey only sees green, then the tiger jumps out and pins the prey down before biting the neck. Other than hunting, tigers are quite calm, tiger cubs will play-fight with one another and adults tolerate the cubs playing with their tail.

Threats

Deforestation, hunting and urbanisation are the main threats to tigers. They are hunted for their fur. However humans try their best to protect these beautiful cats.