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Take a look at the question and answer format below to discover the key facts and statistics about tigers:

Where do tigers live?

Wild tigers are spread out across Asia and are thought to have originated from Southern China. Bengal tigers are the most common subspecies of the tiger world and account for approximately half of the remaining number of wild tigers. Bengal tigers can be found in India and are consequently sometimes referred to as ‘Indian tigers’.

How many tiger subspecies are there?

At one point there were eight tiger subspecies, however, three of these became extinct in the twentieth century owing to the destruction of forests and the hunting of these animals by humans.

How do tigers live and hunt?

Tigers are solitary animals that live alone and mark their territory with their own distinctive scent to fend off any rival tigers from their hunting ground. They hunt predominantly at night and can travel miles in search of buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage when they lie in wait, before pouncing on their prey. No two tiger stripes are the same – they are individually as unique as the human fingerprint.

What age can a wild tiger expect to live to?

The average lifespan of a tiger in the wild is 8 to 10 years. The tiger measures an average of 5 to 6 ft (1.5 to 1.8m), inclusive of head and body, whilst the tail measures 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9m). The weight of a tiger in the wild can range from 240 to 500 lbs (109 to 227 kg).

Why are tigers endangered?

There are a number of factors which have contributed toward the rapid decline in the tiger population. A minor factor is the low birth rate among tigers which is compounded by the low number of tigers in the wild. A female tiger will usually give birth to 2-3 cubs in the wild and unfortunately the fatality rate for cubs can be quite high.

More pressingly is the impact of humans on the tiger population and their natural habitat. The tiger has only one predator and that is man. With regard to traditional Chinese medicines, tiger derivatives have been used in these potions for over 1000 years. Indeed, this cultural reverence for tigers within Chinese mythology, which claims tigers have magical powers, has contributed immensely to the tiger’s demise. Further to this, tigers are killed for their skins and as illegal poaching is pushed underground the rewards for these bounty hunters are huge.

Humans are undoubtedly the biggest threat to the wild tiger population. As villages expand into tiger habitats, the prey of tigers is poached to feed those in the local community. This disturbance to tigers’ prey places further pressure on the wild cat population. Simultaneously, encounters between tigers and humans have grown increasingly likely with the encroachment of these communities. The tiger will, more often than not, lose out in these encounters.

How endangered are tigers?

It is extremely difficult to establish an accurate figure for the number of tigers which remain in the wild. For example, in 2002 the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) claimed that, in total, India had 3,500 wild tigers, whilst a new survey in 2007 accounted for only 1,400 remaining. This decline is exceptionally worrying and it would appear that if the plight of tigers is ignored their extinction, in the wild at least, could be imminent.

How can you help?

To help directly you can adopt a tiger. This starts from just £3 a month and can help to protect the future of this magnificent animal. Your money will help in conservation efforts to protect the natural habitat of the tiger and curtail illegal poaching and forest destruction in these regions.