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Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) - Wiki
| Subject: | Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) - Wiki
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Sumatran Tiger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[Photo] Panthera tigris sumatran subspecies. photo taken by Monika Betley.
The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The wild population is estimated at between 400 and 500 animals, occurring predominantly in the island's national parks. Recent genetic testing has revealed the presence of unique genetic markers, indicating that it may develop into a separate species, if it is not made extinct.[2] This has led to suggestions that the Sumatran Tiger should have greater priority for conservation than any other subspecies. Habitat destruction is the main threat to the existing tiger population (logging continues even in the supposedly protected national parks), but 66 tigers were recorded as being shot and killed between 1998 and 2000???nearly 20% of the total population.
Physical characteristics
The Sumatran Tiger is the smallest of all tiger subspecies. Male Sumatran Tigers average 92 inches in length from head to tail and weigh about 300 pounds. Females average 78 inches in length and weigh about 200 pounds. Its stripes are narrower than other subspecies of tigers' stripes, and it has a more bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. Its small size makes it easier to move through the jungle. It has webbing between its toes that when spread, makes them very fast swimmers. It has been known to drive hoofed prey into the water, especially if the prey animal is a slow swimmer. It's fur has also been known to turn a dark greeny colour when giving birth.
Habitat
The Sumatran Tiger is only found in Sumatra: an island in Indonesia. It lives anywhere from lowland forests to mountain forest and inhabit many unprotected areas. Only about 400 live in game reserves and national parks and the rest are spread out in areas that are quickly being lost to agriculture. The reserves are not safe because despite conservation efforts, many tigers are killed by poachers each year.
Diet
What a tiger eats depends on where it lives and how plentiful the prey is. They have very acute senses of hearing and sight so the tigers are very efficient hunters. They are solitary animals and they hunt at night, stalking the prey slowly and patiently before attacking at the rear or sides. They eat whatever they can catch, commonly wild boar and deer, and sometimes fowl, and fish. Orangutans could be prey, but since they spend a minimal amount of time on the ground, tigers rarely catch one.
Reproduction
Tigers can breed at any time of year, though they typically breed during the winter or spring, and the gestation period is about 103 days. Normally they have 2 or 3 cubs, but can have as many as 6. The cubs are born with their eyes closed and weigh approximately 3 pounds (1.36 kg) each. Their eyes usually open by the tenth day, though some zoo born cubs have been recorded to have their eyes open at birth. They only consume milk for the first 8 weeks and after they can start trying harder food but still suckle for 5 or 6 months. The cubs first leave the den at 2 weeks old and learn to hunt at 6 months old. They can completely hunt for themselves at 18 months and at 2 years they are fully independent. They can live for about 15 years in the wild, and 20 in captivity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatran_Tiger
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Sumatran Tigers
The smallest subspecies, Sumatran Tigers, are now the focus of environmentalists' attention since this animal is critically endangered and has to be protected in the wild. Although the Sumatran Tiger faces few threats in the wild, it suffers greatly from poaching and habitat destruction. Its body parts and pelt have always been hunted for as "essential" constituents of medicines.
Nowadays, the population of the Sumatran Tiger is about 400 species. Some animals live in zoos in Europe, Australia, and North America. The greatest population is found in parks and reserves of Indonesia. However, if no effective measures are taken to protect the Sumatran Tiger, there is a possibility that the species will go extinct in ten years.
Sumatran Tigers - Description
Sumatran Tigers are big cats with narrow stripes on the orange to dark reddish coat. The Sumatran Tiger is darker than other subspecies and is the smallest of Panthera tigris. It has a few adaptations that help it live in deep jungles. Thus, the species has long whiskers that improve the senses of the animal. The fur on the sides of the face is a bit longer. Although the function of the fur is not exactly known, it may serve as a protection means when going through dense bushes.
The Sumatran Tiger has white spots on the back of the ears that are believed to visually enlarge the size of the animal and serve as false eyes in the case that the predator is behind. This helps the Sumatran Tiger cubs to be kept safe.
Sumatran Tigers are one of the two cats that can be observed in water. Sometimes, they are seen near waterfalls and other water resources trying to cool themselves in hot weather. Moreover, they are good swimmers and are known to cross several rivers in search of prey. The species is equipped with webbed toes, which is just another Sumatran Tigers' adaptation for life in the wild. |
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