Tigers are the biggest cats on earth. They have been present on this planet for over 2 million years. The oldest tiger fossil found in Southeast Asia is estimated to be from the early Pleistocene Period (more than 2 million years ago). Do you want to know some interesting facts about tigers? Let’s go through 12 such facts you will be surprised to know.
Incredible Facts About Tigers
1. Nine different types of tigers found on Earth
The tiger has the species name of Panthera tigris. There are nine different types/subspecies of tigers, six of which are endangered and the remaining three are extinct now.
Endangered
- Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica): Found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
- Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Native to the far-eastern Russian and northeastern China.
- Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti): Native to southeast Asia including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
- Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni): Found in Peninsular Malaysia.
- South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis): Lives in southern China.
- Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris): Indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.
Extinct
- Bali tiger (Panthera tigris balica): Lived on the Indonesian island of Bali and went extinct by the 1940s.
- Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica): Found on the Indonesian island of Java and went extinct between between 1950 and 1980.
- Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata): Habitat included eastern Turkey, northern Iran, southern Caucasus, and pockets of Central Asia. It went extinct in the 1970s.
2. The Siberian tiger is the largest of all tiger subspecies
Adult Siberian tigers can weigh up to 660 pounds (300 kilograms) and measure up to 3.3 meters (11 feet) in body length from head to tail.
The Sumatran tiger is the smallest in terms of size. The weight of an adult animal can reach 300 pounds (136 kilograms) and the body length up to 2.7 meters (9 feet).
3. A tiger typically eats once a week
A fully-grown tiger on an average consumes about 50-52 large animals each year. In one night, it can eat as much as 80 pounds (36 kilograms) of meat.
Here is one of the fun facts about the tiger:
Even though tigers are powerful hunters, their hunting success rate is just 5%-10%. That means 1 in 10-20 attempts result in a successful kill.
4. Roaring is not the only sound tigers make
Tigers make a range of distinct sounds including growling, roaring, chuffing, and moaning.
The roaring sound is the loudest of all and can be heard from as far as 2 miles (3.2 kilometers).
Growling is meant to warn another tiger or animal whereas chuffing indicates friendly communication.
When tigers feel discomfort or anxiety, they moan. This type of vocalisation can also mean they are feeling relaxed.
5. Tigers are territorial and solitary animals
Tigers do not share their territory with other male tigers. They mark their territorial boundaries through scent marking and spraying of urine.
If an intruder tries to encroach upon their territory, they fiercely defend it. A male tiger’s territory can encompass several female tigers’ territories.
Tigers normally lead a solitary life. During the breeding period, male and female stay together for 4-5 days or longer.
After giving birth to the cubs, tigresses stay with their cubs for about 2 years when they become independent and establish their own territory.
6. Every tiger has a unique stripe pattern
Just like human fingerprints, no two tigers have the same stripes. The pattern is unique to each tiger.
Interestingly, not only the tiger fur but the skin underneath is striped too.
7. The night vision of tigers is 6 times better than humans
Tigers are nocturnal hunters for a reason. Their exceptional eyesight helps them spot and catch the prey in the darkness.
They have a layer behind the retina called tapetum lucidum that reflects available light back to the retina. This adaptation allows tigers to have enhanced vision at night.
8. Tiger’s saliva is loaded with antiseptic properties
When tigers lick their wounds, they are basically disinfecting that area.
There are some enzymes found in their saliva that prevent infection and speed the healing.
9. Tiger’s claws are retractable
The claws of a tiger are extremely sharp and can extend up to 4 inches in length.
They can extend or retract their claws as required. It’s their main weapon for hunting and defending themselves against threats.
10. Tiger sleeps anywhere between 16-20 hours a day
They need long hours of sleep as it aids them to conserve energy for hunting and fighting intruders.
Being a warm-blooded animal, tigers like to rest in cool and shaded places such as bushes, dense trees, tall grasses, and rocky areas with caves.
11. Can swim for long distances
Tigers are skilled swimmers and are capable of swimming for several miles in a day.
Their webbed paws and strong muscular bodies enable them to move effortlessly in the water.
12. India has the largest number of tigers in the wild
India is home to roughly 75% of the global population of tigers.
According to an estimate released by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2022, there are 3600 plus tigers in the Indian forests.
Did you know?
The Bengal Tiger was adopted as the national animal of India in 1972.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also like:
12 Best Places to Sight Tigers in India.
55 Best Tiger Quotes on Strength and Magnificence.
Over To You Now…
We hope you enjoyed reading these interesting facts about tigers.
How many of them did you know already? And which one caught your attention the most? Tell us in the comments below.
