Sumatran tiger
| Sumatran Tiger | |
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| Subspecies: | P. t. sumatrae
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| Panthera tigris sumatrae | |
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. This has led to suggestions that Sumatran Tigers 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, compared to the siberian tiger, which is the largest. Sumatran male tigers average 8 feet in length from head to tail and weigh about 265 pounds. Females average 7 feet in length and weigh about 200 pounds. Their stripes are narrower than other subspecies of tiger's stripes, and they have a more bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. Their small size makes it easier to move through the jungle. They have a webbing between their toes that when spread, makes them very fast swimmers. They have been known to drive hoofed prey into the water, especially if the prey animal is a slow swimmer.
Habitat
The sumatran tiger is only found in Sumatra, an island in Indonesia. They live 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 argiculture. The reserves aren't safe because poachers come in to shoot the tigers every year. No matter how many efforts are put out to keep the poachers away, there are still many tigers every year being killed.
Diet
What a tiger eats depends on where it lives and how plentiful the prey is. They have very acute sense 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, fish, and even crocodiles. 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 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.
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