Tigers

If a human could jump as high as a tiger relative to body size, we could leap over a one-story building!

Special Adaptations

Tigers have round pupils, while house cats have slit-shaped pupils — this helps tigers focus better on distant prey!

A tiger’s pawprint is called a “pug mark” and rangers can identify individual tigers just by their tracks!

Tigers can’t purr like house cats, but they make a unique sound called a “chuff!” When they exhale through their nostrils, it sounds like a soft, breathy puff. Tigers chuff to express affection, greet others, or show contentment!

Tigers have a special bone in their throat called the hyoid bone that helps them roar loudly.

A tiger’s whiskers are so sensitive they can detect slight changes in air pressure, helping them navigate in complete darkness!

Tigers have special padding on their feet that helps them walk silently, even through dry leaves and twigs!

A tiger’s tail works like a counterbalance when running, helping them make sharp turns at high speed!

A tiger’s fur has two layers — a dense undercoat for warmth and longer guard hairs for protection!

Tiger Subspecies

The Bengal tiger has the most distinctive orange color, while the Siberian tiger tends to be lighter with more cream-colored fur!

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest surviving tiger subspecies, weighing up to 310 pounds (140 kg)!

Each tiger subspecies has slightly different stripe patterns — Sumatran tigers have the thinnest, densest stripes!

The Malayan tiger was only classified as its own subspecies in 2004!

The South China tiger hasn’t been seen in the wild since the 1990s, and may only exist in captivity now!

The Bengal tiger is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh!

Indochinese tigers have darker orange fur than other subspecies and narrower stripes!

White tigers are not a separate subspecies but have a rare genetic condition called leucism that affects their coloration!

The extinct Bali tiger was the smallest tiger subspecies, with males weighing only about 220 pounds (100 kg)!

The Caspian tiger, which went extinct in the 1970s, once roamed through Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia!

Historical & Cultural Facts

Ancient Chinese emperors used tigers as guardians for their tombs, placing tiger statues at entrances!

In Korean mythology, the tiger is considered the guardian of the West and symbolizes courage and power!

The oldest tiger fossil ever found is about 2 million years old, discovered in China!

In 1900, there were about 100,000 tigers in the wild — 25 times more than today!

The word “tiger” comes from the Greek word “tigris,” which is believed to mean “arrow” — referring to the tiger’s speed!

Tigers have been featured on coats of arms and flags for centuries, symbolizing strength and bravery!

The famous “Tiger of Mysore” was a nickname for Sultan Tipu, who used tigers as symbols throughout his kingdom in India!

The Year of the Tiger occurs every 12 years in the Chinese zodiac calendar! The next Year of the Tiger will be in 2034.