Here I am again on my second week blogging about tigers. This
week was very exciting for me because I spent a lot of time watching videos
about these beautiful creatures and where they live. I found them so interesting
that I even went out and bought myself a stuff tiger to keep in my room.
There are ten recognized tiger subspecies, however four of them went
extinct during prehistoric times and the others have survived to the become the subspecies we know today.
Below is information
about the known subspecies of tigers:
Bengal Tiger: This
tiger is the most common species found in Nepal, India, Bhutan (Asia). Its
current population is estimated to be around 2,400 as of 2011. This tiger is one
of the second largest of the surviving subspecies. Males can be as long
as 120 inches and weigh up to 600 lbs. Females average about 104 inches and weigh
up to 350 lbs.
Indochinese Tiger:
This tiger is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. Its
current population is estimated to be around 350 as of 2011. They usually live
in mountainous regions. Males can be as long as 108 inches and weighs up
to 430 lbs. Females average about 96 inches and can weigh up to 290 lbs.
Malayan Tiger: This
tiger is found exclusively in the Malay Peninsula. This tiger was considered
part of the Indochinese subspecies up until 2004 when a genetic analysis showed
a distinct DNA strain, different from the Indochinese tiger. Its current population is estimated to be
less than 500 in 2014. Males can be as long as 110 inches and weigh up to
285 lbs. Females average about 100 inches
long and can weigh up to 194 lbs.
Siberian Tiger:
This tiger is found in Armur-Ussari region
of Primorsky Krai and Khaborovski Krai in Eastern Siberia. Its current population
is estimated to be around 400 as of 2014. The Siberian tiger is the
largest subspecies and ranks as one of the
largest felids population ever to have existed.
Males can be as long as 71 inches long and weigh up to 675 lbs. Females average
about 60 inches long and can weigh up to 360 lbs.
South China Tiger:
This subspecies is one of the 10 most endangered species in the world today.
There have been some reported footprints in South China, but there hasn’t been a wild sighting
in well over 25 years, so it is functionally extinct. Currently there are only
65 held in captivity. Males can be as long as 102 inches and weigh up to 400 lbs.
This tiger is known to be the oldest of the tiger subspecies and is mostly
recognized for its narrow skull, long nose and rhombus like stripes and vivid
orange color.
Sumatran Tiger:
This tiger is only found in Sumatra. It’s the last surviving of the Indonesian
subspecies. In 1998 it was added to the endangered species list. Its current
population is estimated to be around 500 and seen primarily in the island's national
parks. This is the smallest of all living tigers. Males can be as long as 87 inches
and weigh up to 220 lbs. Females average
about 85 inches long and can weigh up to 165 lbs.
