There is actually only one tiger species, but it is divided into nine subspecies, three of which are now extinct. Each subspecies differs physically or genetically from the others. The surviving subspecies include the Bengal, Indo-Chinese, South China, Amur, and Sumatran tigers.
Although no tigers are native to the United States, a few subspecies are found in places like Wild Animal Safari in Georgia and Missouri, making it a unique experience to see them up close. The Texas Safari Park has no tigers.
Tiger stripes are as unique as human fingerprints, with each individual’s pattern being distinct. Let’s explore the tiger subspecies in detail.
Explore the different tiger subspecies
The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), also known as the Indian or Royal Bengal tiger, originally roamed a larger area but is now found primarily in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
As the most recognizable and largest tiger in the wild, males weigh between 397 and 569 pounds, while females weigh between 220 and 350 pounds.
White Bengal tigers, a rare genetic variation, may appear due to a mutation called leucism, resulting in a white coat with black stripes. Albino tigers, which are completely white with pink eyes, are extremely rare and not suited for survival in the wild due to lack of camouflage.
Known also as the Manchurian, Korean, Amur, or Ussurian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), this endangered subspecies lives in Northern Asia, including China, Russia, and Korea.
Siberian tigers are typically larger than Bengal tigers in captivity but generally smaller in the wild. Males weigh between 389 and 475 pounds, and females range from 260 to 303 pounds.
They have a broad chest and large skull with thick fur adapted to cold climates. The coloration is less vibrant than other tigers.
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is the smallest subspecies and lives exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Males weigh between 220 and 310 pounds, and females range from 165 to 243 pounds. The Sumatran tiger has darker, well-defined stripes that extend to its legs. It is critically endangered, with its population having declined significantly due to habitat loss and poaching.
The Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), named after British hunter Jim Corbett, inhabits Southeast Asia, including China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam.
This near critically endangered subspecies has narrow, single stripes. Males weigh between 331 and 430 pounds, while females weigh between 220 and 290 pounds.
Illegal trade of tiger parts contributes to its dwindling numbers, with only around 300-400 Indochinese tigers remaining.
The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jack soni) is native to Southeastern Asia, including Burma, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Slightly smaller than the Indochinese tiger, males weigh between 220 and 308 pounds, and females range from 165 to 245 pounds.
It was only recognized as a distinct subspecies in the early 2000s and is critically endangered, with fewer than 200 breeding adults left due to habitat loss and poaching.
Known as the Chinese, Xiamen, or Amoy tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis), the South China tiger once roamed eastern and central China.
It is one of the smaller subspecies, with males weighing between 287 and 386 pounds and females between 220 and 254 pounds.
Critically endangered, with only 30 to 40 individuals remaining in captivity, the South China tiger’s numbers have dwindled due to habitat destruction and eradication efforts.
Extinct tiger species
- Caspian tiger: Once found around the Caspian Sea, this tiger had a more muted colour and is now extinct. Known as the “grey tiger,” it may have had a unique coloration similar to the white or blue tiger mutations.
- Bali tiger: The smallest tiger subspecies, native to Indonesia, weighed between 200 and 220 pounds for males and 143 to 176 pounds for females. It has been extinct since the 1930s, with only bones and skulls remaining.
- Javan tiger: Slightly larger than the Bali tiger, the Javan tiger was native to Indonesia and is listed as extinct since the 1970s. Periodic sightings of tigers in the area may be mistaken for Javan tigers.
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