Tigers

Adapted from Funk & Wagnall's Encyclopedia, found in Infopedia. Funk & Wagnall's Encyclopedia © 1993, 1994 Funk & Wagnall's, Inc., Licensed to Future Vision Media. Infopedia © 1994 Future Vision Media, Inc.

TIGER, largest member of the CAT FAMILY (q.v.) , Felidae, Panthera tigris. It lives in Asia and belongs to the same genus as the LION, LEOPARD, and JAGUAR (qq.v.) . Two major subspecies exist: the Siberian (also called Manchurian) tiger, P. t. altaica, and the Bengal tiger, P. t. tigris. The modern tiger is thought to have originated in northern Asia during the Pleistocene epoch and spread southward thereafter, crossing the Himalaya only about 10,000 years ago.

The very rare Siberian tiger ranges as far north as the Arctic Circle. A big male measures 4 m (13 ft) long, including the tail, and weighs 300 kg (700 lb). It has thick yellow fur with dark stripes. The Bengal tiger, which is about 3 m (about 10 ft) long, including the tail, and usually weighs no more than about 230 kg (about 500 lb), is found on the mainland of southeastern Asia and in central and southern India. Its coat lies flatter than that of the Siberian tiger, the tawny color is richer, and the stripes are darker. The tigers on the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bali are even smaller and darker.

The tiger is a solitary animal, males and females coming together only at mating time. The litter usually numbers two or three cubs, which stay with the mother into their second year. The diet is varied, ranging from deer and cattle to snakes and termites; carrion is also eaten. The Bengal inhabits grassy or swampy areas and forests, where it is well camouflaged by its coloration. Those living on islands have almost disappeared. The Siberian tiger has been declared endangered.