Scientific Information

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest of all the wild cats, yet the tiger is also the most endangered and some populations have already gone extinct. In spite of many conservation programs it is estimated the tiger population has declined by over 95% in the past 100 years, primarily due to poaching and habitat loss. Besides being the largest of the big cats, tigers have a unique coat pattern of only stripes. Other cats may also have stripes on parts of their coats but markings will also include spots, rosettes or blotches.

Tiger (Panthera tigris) Classification

Tigers belong to the big cat genus Panthera and the full taxonomy or scientific classification of the tiger species (Panthera tigris) is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates)

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Suborder: Feliformia (cat-like)

Family: Felidae (cats)

Subfamily: Pantherinae (big cats)

Genus: Panthera (big cats)

Species: Panthera tigris (tiger)

Subspecies:

Panthera tigris tigris

Panthera tigris sondaica

The scientific name for tiger is Panthera tigris which is also known as the tiger binomial name, tiger species name, tiger latin name, tiger biological name and tiger zoological name. Some call it the tiger botanical name however that term is applicable to the plant kingdom (botany) and not the animal kingdom (zoology).

Tiger (Panthera tigris) Subspecies

Tiger Lower Classifications

As at the last IUCN Red List assessment of tigers, six extant (still in existence) subspecies of tiger were described as well as three tiger subspecies that have already gone extinct, totaling nine tiger subspecies:

Extinct (EX)

  • Bali Tiger Panthera tigris balica
  • Javan Tiger Panthera tigris sondaica
  • Caspian Tiger Panthera tigris virgata

Critically Endangered (CR)

  • South China Tiger Panthera tigris amoyensis
  • Malayan Tiger Panthera tigris jacksoni
  • Sumatran Tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae

Endangered (EN)

  • Amur / Siberian Tiger Panthera tigris altaica
  • Indochinese Tiger Panthera tigris corbetti
  • Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris

However the current Felidae taxonomy revision proposes only two tiger subspecies based on comprehensive genetic studies. Thus the tiger lower classifications (or subspecies) at present are:

  1. Panthera tigris tigris – Mainland : larger size, paler coat with fewer stripes
  2. Panthera tigris sondaica – Sumatra : smaller size, darker coat with more stripes

Tiger Conservation

The global conservation status for tigers is Endangered (EN) and populations are declining.

The following global organizations are all fighting to conserve our iconic tigers amidst ever growing human populations and illicit poaching:

Please support these organizations with their important work. No matter how small or large your contribution, every bit helps!

Tiger Facts and Information

The following websites have well researched and authoritative information on tigers:

Tiger Safaris Asia

The following organizations offer tours to places in Asia where you are likely to see tigers in their natural habitat. These companies offer small group experiences, support conservation projects, and indicate their trips are environmentally and ethically responsible:

Always bear in mind that sightings of any particular animal in its natural environment are not guaranteed and the experience of guides will greatly enhance your success.

Tiger biology

When not subject to human disturbance, the tiger is mainly diurnal.[82] It does not often climb trees but cases have been recorded.[52] It is a strong swimmer and often bathes in ponds, lakes and rivers, thus keeping cool in the heat of the day.[83] Individuals can cross rivers up to 7 km (4.3 mi) wide and can swim up to 29 km (18 mi) in a day.[84] During the 1980s, a tiger was observed frequently hunting prey through deep lake water in Ranthambhore National Park.[82]

The tiger is a long-ranging species, and individuals disperse over distances of up to 650 km (400 mi) to reach tiger populations in other areas.[85] Radio-collared tigers in Chitwan National Park started dispersing from their natal areas earliest at the age of 19 months. Four females dispersed between 0 and 43.2 km (0.0 and 26.8 mi), and 10 males between 9.5 and 65.7 km (5.9 and 40.8 mi). None of them crossed open cultivated areas that were more than 10 km (6.2 mi) wide, but moved through forested habitat.[86]

Adult tigers lead largely solitary lives. They establish and maintain territories but have much wider home ranges within which they roam. Resident adults of either sex generally confine their movements to their home ranges, within which they satisfy their needs and those of their growing cubs. Individuals sharing the same area are aware of each other’s movements and activities.[87] The size of the home range mainly depends on prey abundance, geographic area and sex of the individual.[52][23] In India, home ranges appear to be 50 to 1,000 km2 (19 to 386 sq mi) while in Manchuria, they range from 500 to 4,000 km2 (190 to 1,540 sq mi). In Nepal, defended territories are recorded to be 19 to 151 km2 (7.3 to 58.3 sq mi) for males and 10 to 51 km2 (3.9 to 19.7 sq mi) for females.[84]
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger#Biology_and_behaviour

Tiger anatomy

On the following picture, description of Tiger anatomy can be found. This was taken from a scientific magazines “Biology for you”