Tiger Subspecies

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.