The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total
body length of up to 3.3 m (11 ft) and weighing up to 306 kg
(670 lb). It is the third largest land carnivore (behind only the polar
bear and the brown bear). Its most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark
vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with a lighter underside. In zoos,
tigers have lived from 20 to 26 years, which also seems to be their longevity
in the wild. It is very sad that we ourselves are killing tigers and hanging up
posters saying:
They are territorial and generally solitary but
social animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support
their prey requirements. Tigers once ranged widely across Asia, from Turkey in
the west to the eastern coast of Russia. Over the past 100 years, they have
lost 93% of their historic range, and have been extirpated from southwest and
central Asia, from the islands of Java and Bali, and from large areas of Southeast
and Eastern Asia. Today, they range from the Siberian taiga to open grasslands
and tropical mangrove swamps. The remaining six tiger subspecies have been
classified as endangered by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of
Nature). The global population in the wild is estimated to number between
3,062 and 3,948 individuals, down from around 100,000 at the start of the 20th
century, with most remaining populations occurring in small pockets isolated
from each other. Major reasons for population decline include habitat
destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching. As you have now gained lots of
knowledge, please share it with the ecosystem.
By:
Vikram ( grade 5)
No comments:
Post a Comment