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  The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a member of the cat family, and the largest of all feline species in the world. The nine subspecies range greatly in size, from the Siberian tiger which grows to be about 550 pounds to Isle tigers, like the Sumatran, which grow to weigh around 220 pounds. Tigers are native to southeastern Asia but, now that they are an endangered species, most of them live in captivity. When in their native environment, tigers can be found in a variety of habitats, from dry savannas to tropical rainforests. They enjoy living in dense vegetation, where their stripes serve as camouflage that keeps them hidden from predators. Most tigers have orange coats and white faces, although white tigers do exist. All tigers have at least 100 brown and black stripes and, like human fingerprints, no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes. This pattern lives in the tiger’s skin, so a tiger can be identified by its stripes even without its hair. The tiger is territorial and prefers to travel alone. Tiger cubs are born alive and stay with their mothers until they are around 2 to 2 ½ years old. Females will stay close to home, but males wander in search of new territory, which they gain by fighting other males. Tigers are excellent hunters, able to reach speeds of nearly 40 mph and jump as high as 16 feet. In addition, their extremely strong jaws and sharp teeth make them superb predators. Tiger populations in the wild have been greatly reduced by poachers who hunt their beautiful fur. Their habitats continue to be destroyed, which also endangers the tiger’s long-term survival. Currently, nearly 20,000 tigers are living in captivity with the goal of reintroducing them back into the wild.
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