New Delhi: The tiger, scientifically known as Panthera tigris, is one of the world’s most iconic and majestic animals. It is deeply associated with power and unbridled wilderness. Revered in various cultures, faiths and folklore, the tiger symbolises nature’s untamed beauty.
International Tiger Day is a stark reminder of the urgent need for tiger conservation. The tiger, also India’s national animal, is the world’s biggest cat and a keystone species in our ecosystems. The day is a call to action, raising awareness about preserving these majestic creatures and their habitats. Let’s delve deep into the big cats, from their habitat to the countries they are found in and the numbers left.
Tiger: Facts to know about the Big Cat
Before we look into the facts and other details, first, let us look at the numbers.
How many tigers left?
Tragically, tigers are on the brink of extinction, a loss that would reverberate globally. Just over a century ago, an estimated 1,00,000 wild tigers freely roamed the vast expanses of Asia. Today, their population has dwindled to approximately 5,600, confined to a mere five per cent of their historic habitat.
Source: PIB
Tigers in India
India is home to the largest population of wild tigers, with half of the remaining individuals residing there. Shockingly, much of this decline has occurred in the last decade alone.
According to the latest Indian government data, the number of tigers in India stood at 3,682 in 2022, which is around 75 per cent of the global wild tiger population. On April 1, 1973, India launched Project Tiger to promote tiger conservation. Initially, it covered nine tiger reserves spanning 18,278 square km. Now, there are over 50 tiger reserves in India, covering more than 78,735 square km, nearly 2.4 per cent of the country’s geographical area, of tiger habitat.
According to government data, a total of 628 tigers have died in India in the past five years due to natural causes and other reasons like poaching. The data further revealed that the number of tiger deaths in 2023 was the highest since 2012.
Tiger numbers in other countries
Over the past century, the global tiger population has dwindled by a staggering 97 per cent due to human activities like hunting and habitat destruction. Consequently, tigers now inhabit only 13 countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Russia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Russia: In 2005, there were between 423 and 502 wild tigers. In 2015, the population was estimated to be between 480 and 540.
Indonesia: In 1978, there were about 1,000 tigers. Today, there may be as few as 400 due to challenges in conducting official surveys.
China: The Amur Tiger, found in China and Russia, has an estimated population of 50 or fewer.
Laos: The tiger population is dwindling, with only 17 tigers found in 2010 and no female breeding tigers.
Thailand: At least 189 tigers are known to live in protected areas, with a 2016 camera trap discovering a population of critically endangered Indochinese tigers.
Bhutan: A 2014 survey found 103 tigers roaming in the high mountainous areas, up from a previous estimate of 75 tigers.
Bangladesh: About 100 tigers are believed to be left, and a study is underway to track female tigers using radio collars.
Facts about Tigers
Tiger stripes are unique
Each tiger has a unique stripe pattern, just like a human fingerprint. Experts use camera trap images to count tigers and estimate their populations in specific areas or countries.
Size
Tigers are some of the biggest cats in the world. The Amur tiger is the largest kind, with males weighing up to 300 kilograms and measuring 10 feet. The smallest is the Sumatran tiger, which can weigh up to 140 kilograms and measure 8 feet. Female tigers are usually smaller than males.
Roar of a tiger
The roar of a tiger, known for its powerful and far-reaching sound, can travel up to 3 kilometres, warning other animals and demonstrating dominance.
Communication
A tigress communicates with her cubs by using the white spots on the back of her ears, which act as a signal. When a tigress senses danger, she flattens her ears, and the cubs respond by crouching down and hiding.
They are silent hunters
Tigers have soft toe pads that help them walk silently through their habitat. A tiger typically travels 6-12 miles during a night of hunting. During the day, a tiger’s stripes can act as camouflage, allowing it to blend in with its surroundings for stalking and ambushing its prey.
Lifespan
The life expectancy of tigers is 20-25 years, but most die before 20. For example, Machli, a tiger in Ranthambore National Park, died at 19.
Tigers can imitate the calls of other animals
Tigers can imitate the calls of other animals. This mimicry gives them an added advantage when hunting.
Quick Facts
Tiger cubs are born blind, and only half of them survive.
Although not all tigers are nocturnal, they prefer to hunt at night.
Tigers love to swim and play in the water.
A group of tigers is called an ambush or streak.
Tiger urine smells like buttered popcorn.
How many subspecies of tiger are there?
The tiger, known for its striking beauty and fierce presence, faces a critical threat to its survival. There are two distinct subspecies of tigers — the continental and Sunda island tigers. The Sunda island tiger, also known as the Sumatran tiger, is now found only in Sumatra, as tigers in Java and Bali have become extinct. The continental tigers encompass several populations, including the Bengal, Malayan, Indochinese, and Amur (Siberian) tigers.
Tigers, among the most formidable members of the feline family, are renowned for their impressive size, stunning agility, and fearsome hunting prowess. Their range extends across the vast expanses of Asia, from Russia to the islands of Sumatra and through mainland Southeast Asia. Let us know some amazing facts about tigers, the big cats. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
