TIGERS

Tigers are the largest members of the cat family, Felidae, and belong to the genus *Panthera*. The most widely recognized species is the Bengal tiger (*Panthera tigris tigris*), but there are several subspecies, including the Siberian, Sumatran, Indochinese, Malayan, and South China tigers. Once widespread across Asia, tigers are now found primarily in fragmented populsations across South and Southeast Asia, China, and the Russian Far East. These powerful predators are critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Tigers are known for their striking orange coats marked with black stripes, which are unique to each individual—kind of like a fingerprint. They have muscular bodies, large forelimbs, and powerful jaws that make them expert hunters. Unlike most big cats, tigers are strong swimmers and often cool off or travel through water. Males are significantly larger than females, with some Siberian tigers reaching up to 3.3 m (11 ft) in length and weighing over 300 kg (660 lb).

Tigers are solitary and territorial carnivores, primarily hunting large prey such as deer, wild boar, and buffalo. They inhabit diverse environments including tropical forests, mangroves, grasslands, and snowy taigas. Tigers rely heavily on camouflage and stealth to ambush their prey. Although they prefer to avoid humans, conflict can arise when tigers venture into settlements in search of food.

WHERE WILL YOU FIND THEM

You will find the lions at the Northern Frontier