Thursday, September 30, 2010
colours of bengal tiger
| The Many Colors of Bengals |
 (From Left to Right) Ghost Tiger, White Tiger, Tabby Tiger and Classic Tiger. Tigers come in a few different Coat colors, here are a few of them. There are the snow tiger or ghost tiger which can sometimes be called pure white or all white. The standard white tiger with black stripes, which some may have light to dark brown stripes. The golden tabby which is also called the strawberry tiger. The classic orange with black stripes. Then the rarest melanistic or black tigers, and albino tigers. And the Maltese tiger which have a blueish tint to their fur where a classic tiger would be orange, these tigers have never been fully proven to exsist, yet so many sightings have been seen many many years ago that its believed they are in fact real, weather they are exstinct or not has yet to be known.  (This picture is altered to show what it is believed a maltese tiger might look like according to the descriptions given by villagers a long time ago.) The Rare Snow White Tiger: Contrary to popular belief the snow tiger or ghost tiger is not albino. Snow Tigers do have visable stripes though many only have stripes visable above the eyes and on the tail, some even only on their tails. Albinos lack stripes completely. Though the same as the white tiger but with less stripes and or less visable stripes; snow tigers are ten times more rare. White Tigers: Only the bengal tigers and siberian tigers are known the produce white tigers, both parents must carry a specific gene in order for a white tiger to be produced. White tigers can have stripes that are anywhere from a black to a light tan color. In fact the snow tigers are the same as white tigers but are just set aside as being different from them because they have less stripes and or less visable stripes. Golden Tabby or Strawberry tigers: Like the white tigers it is believed that in order for a golden tabby to be produced both parents must carry a special gene. Tabby tigers are orange with anywhere from dark tan to light tan stripes. Tabbies are much more rare then the white tigers. Classic Tigers: Classic tigers are the first tigers that are thought of when someone mentions the word 'tiger'. Their color can range anywhere from dark orange(almost red) to a light orange, and always have black stripes. Melanistic tigers or black tigers: Melanistic is a term used for an over grownth of pigment, its pretty much the opposite of ablonisium which lacks pigment. Melanistic tigers are almost all black with orange to yellow stripes mainly on its underside. Some might believe melanistic tigers to be a myth but pelts have been recovered in the early to mid 1900's that prove their exsistnace. No live Melanistic tiger has been captured or seen since. Albino tigers: Albino tigers and Snow white tigers are often mistaken for one another, the best way to tell them apart is to look at the tails, abino tigers have no stripes. If one was to shave a snow white tiger the skin would show visable stripes even if they cant be seen when the animal is not shaved, an albino will not have any stripes even on their skin, and their skin will be pink. Their noses and lips will also be pink with no other pigmentation, however contrary to popular belief and unlike most albino animals the albino tigers are said to have faint blue eyes rather then red. If you find this out for sure let us know. Maltese Tigers: Maltese Tigers were reported being seen in Malta in the early 1900's, no pelt nor live maltese tiger have ever been recovered or caputred and most people believe the tiger to be a myth, accoring to those who have said to have seen the tiger it is real and does truly exsist. It is believed that if the Maltese Tiger is real that it's blue coloration is a pigment mutation similar to Melanisium and albonisium. If the Maltese Tigers are in fact real and are a pigment mutation like melanisium and ablonisium then all species of tigers should be able to produce maltese tigers. But like the Melanistic tigers they are seemingly elusive. Some believe that the Maltese tiger may have once lived but is now exstinct. |
amur tigers article
Amur tigers are the largest of the big cats. Their bodies are heavily muscledand extremely powerful. Their average weight is close to 600pounds, with weights of up to 800 pounds(males slightly larger than the females). Males can reach lengths of eight to ten feet, icluding a three foot tail.
Their claws are retractabl, kept in while resting or walking. They are able to unsheathe their massive claws when hunting. Their coat has a stripe, yellow-orange appearance and is lighter in colorthan a Bengal tiger's coat. Their undersides, back legs, and tail are more whitish. When alert to sounds, their ears perk up and efficiently funnel sounds to the inner ear. They have excellent binocular and color vision. Their night vision is five times better than humans.
The "Amur" tigers are often falsely called "Siberian " tigers. These tigers are not found in Siberia, as the name would indicate. The name "Siberian" was given to this species by Americans as a more exotic description. The propername is "Amur", indicating their native range in the Amur region in Russia.
Males and females scent - mark their territory by urinating, scratchingtrees. They also use fecal droppings to mark areas. Only males will defend their territories against other males, especially when females or food resources are present. Male tigers are solitary, rarely, tolerating the presence of another male. Hunting is also a solitary activity, as their efficiency in stalking and ambusing prey is higher when they are alone. Out of 10 attempts, tigers are usually only sccesful at capturing prey once.
Amur tigers are crically endangered species. with fewer than 400 remaining in the wild. Of the original eight tiger subspecies, only5 still remain in the wild. There are twice as many of these tigers in zoos than there are in the wild. Through captive breeding and a carefully controlled Species Survival Plan[SSP] tiger genes may one day be used to increase genetic diversity in the wild.
Their claws are retractabl, kept in while resting or walking. They are able to unsheathe their massive claws when hunting. Their coat has a stripe, yellow-orange appearance and is lighter in colorthan a Bengal tiger's coat. Their undersides, back legs, and tail are more whitish. When alert to sounds, their ears perk up and efficiently funnel sounds to the inner ear. They have excellent binocular and color vision. Their night vision is five times better than humans.
The "Amur" tigers are often falsely called "Siberian " tigers. These tigers are not found in Siberia, as the name would indicate. The name "Siberian" was given to this species by Americans as a more exotic description. The propername is "Amur", indicating their native range in the Amur region in Russia.
Amur tigers are native to the Amur-Ussuri region of Russia, with few remaining tigers found across the border in northern China. They live mixed decidous-coniferous forests thatresemble jungles in thesummer and are snowbound in the winter. They also prefer areas with tall grass, allowing them to maintain cover while stalking prey. Amur tigers occupy veruy large territories, with ranges of more than 400 square miles recorded. Their average territory size is between 10 and 30 square miles. Their territories are much larger than those of other tiger species because their prey is more spread out. If food is plentiful, tigers will stay within their territories. If food is scarce, they may be forced to travel hundreds of miles outside their territories. Scientists have estimated that it could take an area the size of Italy to support a population of several hundred tigers ( depending on prey).
These tigers catch and kill large prey in the wild. These prey species include: wildboar, elk, and red deer. Some reports say that tigers are capable of eating a fully grown brown bear and killing them. During winter months, these tigers will patrol the beaches for deer. This may bring them into contact with humans more often. This is very unfortunate for this tiger, as they are often poached[ killed illegally] when seen. Amur tigers are not known to attack humans, unless out of self defense. During times of low prey availability, tigers are often driven to the edges of towns in search of eay meals such as : dogs, cats, ect. This is almost always a death sentence for a tiger.Males and females scent - mark their territory by urinating, scratchingtrees. They also use fecal droppings to mark areas. Only males will defend their territories against other males, especially when females or food resources are present. Male tigers are solitary, rarely, tolerating the presence of another male. Hunting is also a solitary activity, as their efficiency in stalking and ambusing prey is higher when they are alone. Out of 10 attempts, tigers are usually only sccesful at capturing prey once.
Amur tigers are crically endangered species. with fewer than 400 remaining in the wild. Of the original eight tiger subspecies, only5 still remain in the wild. There are twice as many of these tigers in zoos than there are in the wild. Through captive breeding and a carefully controlled Species Survival Plan[SSP] tiger genes may one day be used to increase genetic diversity in the wild.
south china tigers
South China tigers are a subspecies of tigers that can be found mainly in a very narrow area of south / south east China, mainly in forests.
South China tigers are not only one of the very endangered tiger species, but it is also considered to be THE one that is most likely to be extinct within a very short period if no real breeding and preservation efforts take place.
Experts estimate that the south China tiger population does not exceed two to three dozens only! This has earned it a ranking between the world’s top 10 animals that are on the verge of extinction � pretty sad.
What has mainly contributed to the reduction of the South Chinese tiger population is the amount of illegal hunting that was taking place in these southern forests, in addition to the reduction in the number of preys it can hunt (again, mostly due to humans).
These very tigers are now taking refuge in mountains within the area rather than open forests.
We have to also keep in mind that starting the 1960s, tigers were proclaimed a danger to humans in China, and as such hunting them down was taking place. This decision was reversed too late, almost two decades later. The South China tiger population had by then been reduced by more than 95%.
South China tigers (sometimes referred to as south Chinese tigers) are small in size, with the male ranging between 220 to 260 cm in length and around 140-170 kilograms in weight. Females are smaller in size (this is normal when it comes to tigers and similar mammals) with a length varying usually between 200 to 250 cm and a weight of around 120 kilograms. Their fur differs a bit from that of other subspecies, given that the stripes are somewhat thinner and more spaced along the body.
South China tigers are known for their patience and love for hunting. They would not get tired of spending several hours a day looking after preys. They also don’t mind attacking animals that are of equivalent weight if not more. But when it comes to hunger, they would settle down for anything, even small animals and insects.
If their prey is big, they try to suffocate it once they catch it, else they would simply attack lethally with their long teeth. They have no problem in attacking humans, and they have done many times in the past. So caution is required if one got to (ever) meet one in the wild.
South China tigers are not only one of the very endangered tiger species, but it is also considered to be THE one that is most likely to be extinct within a very short period if no real breeding and preservation efforts take place.
Experts estimate that the south China tiger population does not exceed two to three dozens only! This has earned it a ranking between the world’s top 10 animals that are on the verge of extinction � pretty sad.
What has mainly contributed to the reduction of the South Chinese tiger population is the amount of illegal hunting that was taking place in these southern forests, in addition to the reduction in the number of preys it can hunt (again, mostly due to humans).
These very tigers are now taking refuge in mountains within the area rather than open forests.
We have to also keep in mind that starting the 1960s, tigers were proclaimed a danger to humans in China, and as such hunting them down was taking place. This decision was reversed too late, almost two decades later. The South China tiger population had by then been reduced by more than 95%.
South China tigers (sometimes referred to as south Chinese tigers) are small in size, with the male ranging between 220 to 260 cm in length and around 140-170 kilograms in weight. Females are smaller in size (this is normal when it comes to tigers and similar mammals) with a length varying usually between 200 to 250 cm and a weight of around 120 kilograms. Their fur differs a bit from that of other subspecies, given that the stripes are somewhat thinner and more spaced along the body.
South China tigers are known for their patience and love for hunting. They would not get tired of spending several hours a day looking after preys. They also don’t mind attacking animals that are of equivalent weight if not more. But when it comes to hunger, they would settle down for anything, even small animals and insects.
If their prey is big, they try to suffocate it once they catch it, else they would simply attack lethally with their long teeth. They have no problem in attacking humans, and they have done many times in the past. So caution is required if one got to (ever) meet one in the wild.
save tigers
Tiger
Scientific Name: Panthera tigrisPopulation: There could be as few as 3, 200 left in the wild.
The tiger, largest of all cats, is one of the most charismatic and evocative species on Earth; it is also one of the most threatened. Most tigers live in isolated pockets spread across increasingly fragmented forests stretching from India to south-eastern China and from the Russian Far East to Sumatra, Indonesia.
Poisoned, trapped, snared, shot, captured...
Across its range, this magnificent animal is being persecuted. Today, tigers are poisoned, shot, trapped and snared, and the majority of these animals are sought to meet the demands of a continuing illegal wildlife trade - which includes traditional Chinese medicine.
Hunters, traders, and poor local residents whose main means of subsistence comes from the forest, are wiping out the tiger and the natural prey upon which it depends. While poaching for trade continues to menace the tiger's survival, perhaps the greatest long-term threats are the loss of habitat and the depletion of the tiger's natural prey. Large commercial plantations have replaced a lot of tiger habitat in several tropical range countries.
Three tiger subspecies are already extinct, and a fourth is on its way
Tiger Study
WWF in 2005 collaborated with other organizations on the most comprehensive scientific study of tiger habitats ever done. The study finds that tigers reside in 40 percent less habitat than they were thought to a decade ago and now occupy only seven percent of their historic range.The study also finds that conservation efforts have resulted in some populations remaining stable and even increasing, but concludes that long-term success is only achieved where there is broad landscape-level conservation and buy-in from stakeholders.
In the past century, the world has lost three of the nine tiger subspecies. The Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers have all become extinct ... and many scientists believe the South China tiger is “functionally extinct”.
Priority areas offer the best hope for tiger conservation
WWF's tiger conservation strategy and action plan - Conserving Tigers in the Wild: A WWF Framework Strategy for Action 2002-2010 - identifies seven focal tiger landscapes where the chances of long-term tiger conservation are best, and four additional areas where conservation opportunities are good.
In each of the focal landscapes, WWF aims to establish and manage effective tiger conservation areas, reduce the poaching of tigers and their prey, eliminate the trade in tiger parts and products, create incentives that will encourage local communities and others to support tiger conservation, and build capacity for tiger conservation.
Physical Description
The tiger is the largest of the Asian big cats and can be found in a wide range of habitats, from the evergreen and monsoon forests of the Indo-Malayan realm to the mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands of the Russian Far East and the mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans, shared by India and Bangladesh.The characteristic stripe patterns differ from one individual to another and from one side of the cat's body to the other. In fact, there are no tigers with identical markings. Males exhibit a characteristic ruff (lengthened hairs around the neck), which is especially marked in the Sumatran tiger.
Tigers are typically solitary hunters and prey mainly on deer and wild pig. Where this prey is in abundance, such as in Chitwan National Park in Nepal, territories range from 10 to 20km² for females and 30 to 70km² for males. In Russia, where the density of prey is much lower, territories vary in size from 200 to 400km² for females and 800 to 1,000km² for males.
Tigers have dens in caves, tree hollows and dense vegetation. They are mostly nocturnal but in the northern part of its range, the Siberian subspecies may also be active during the day at winter-time. Using their sight and hearing rather than smell, the tiger stalks its prey and once it has reached close proximity, attacks from the side or rear and kills by a bite to the neck or the back of the head.
Unless they die, tigers are never replaced on their range. Although individuals do not patrol their territories, the range is visited over a period of days or weeks and it is marked with urine and feces.
Size
Body length is 140-280 cm and tail length is 60 to 95 cm.
Colour
The upper part of the animal ranges from reddish orange to ochre, and the under parts are whitish. The body has a series of black striations of black to dark grey colour.
Habitat
Biogeographic realmIndo-Malayan, Palearctic
Range States
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia (Sumatra), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, North Korea (few left), Russia (Far East), Thailand, Vietnam
Why is this species important?
Conservation Results
Four of WWF's priority regions are important for tiger conservation: Amur-Heilong, Borneo and Sumatra, Eastern Himalayas and Mekong.The tiger is a powerful symbol of reverence among the variety of cultures that live across its range. They command respect, awe or fear from their human neighbours. Even in places where tigers have become extinct or never existed in the wild, they live in myth and legend.
As top predators, they keep populations of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. A whole myriad of other life-forms are essential to support a healthy tiger population.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)