FactsKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Panthera Sub-species: Malayan, tigris jacksoni Scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN) - due to loss of habitat and decline in prey
Predators: Humans, young tigers may fall prey to leopards, snakes and other tigers Habitat: Dense tropical/ subtropical forests Habitat Range: Malaysian peninsula and Thailand Life span: 18-25 years in the wild Up to 20 years in captivity Lifestyle: Solitary Prey: small to large animals (wild boars, sun bears, deer, livestock, monkeys) |
Tigers are the largest cat species on the planet, ranging from 220 lbs to 660 lbs. These creatures are usually solitary hunters, and can consume up to 90 lbs of meat in one sitting. Tigers on average do not give birth to large litters, usually litters of 1-4 cubs every 2.5 years. The largest subspecies of tiger is the Amur (Siberian) tiger, adult males of this species can reach up to 660 lbs or more.
Physical Characteristics Commonly known as the Malayan tiger, this creature is actually one of the smallest subspecies of tigers. Adult males on average weigh up to 300 lbs, whereas adult females may average at a weight of 220 lbs. The Malayan tigers can also reach up to a length of 9 ft for adult males, and 6 ft for females from head to tail. Habitat Their natural habitat is in the Malaysian Peninsula where there they're scientifically named Panthera tigris malayensis rather than Panthera tigris jacksoni. The forests of the Malaysian peninsula are densely covered by vegetation, ideal for the Malayan tiger who likes to stay concealed, especially when stalking prey. Their ecological role includes fertilizing the forest floor with animal remains and scat. Conservation In this habitat the Malayan tiger is a predator, however with only a few hundred Malayan tigers left in the world due to poaching and habitat loss, it is important that efforts are made to preserve the species. Poaching is still a very big issue for tigers despite the many conservation efforts. There are many conservation efforts out there including TX2, an effort to double the number of wild tigers by 2022. Fortunately tigers only have one major competitor, unfortunately that competition is mankind. Luckily TX2 is one of the many wide-scale conservation efforts that has been showing success, and has increased tiger numbers in India, Nepal and Russia. Tigers are not a huge threat to mankind, their biggest threat is their predation on livestock. Unfortunately, it is not their predation on livestock that attracts the attention of poachers. On the black market all parts of a tiger can be found and/or sold. Malayan tigers are also used in many natural medicines as they are believed to bring good fortune. Behavior Adult tigers of all subspecies are usually solitary creatures, but may be found to hunt in groups on occasion, especially when taking on larger prey. Mothers and cub(s) may tend to stay with each other until the cub(s) reach(es) 18 months old, after this point the cubs will live independently. The tiger may only kill once every few days, which means when it has killed its prey it is likely to eat as much as possible. Although there are not currently any Malayan tigers on display at the Point Defiance zoo & Aquarium, their cousins the Sumatran tiger were. These tigers share close behaviors, size and weights, however it was difficult to observe more than the difference in size between the two year olds and the older adult due to them being asleep. In captivity these creatures do not display their usual sense of alertness to humans, and do not display their typical hunting behaviors. This is due to the heavy influence of zoo life and being in close contact with humans. Reproduction Malayan tigers reach sexual maturity by the age of 3-4 years. Malayan tigers do not mate for life, and it is uncommon for a pair to stay together too long after mating. After a gestation period of 100-110 days (3.28 months) females then find a den to deliver and raise their litter of cubs inside and/or near the den for approximately 8 weeks. Fun Facts
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http://www.wwf.org.my/about_wwf/what_we_do/species_main/tiger/
https://www.scz.org/animal_exhibits-animal.php?a_id=412
http://www.tigers.org.za/malayan-tiger.html
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/136893/0
http://www.pdza.org/malayan-tiger/
Pictures:
[1]http://blogs.evergreen.edu/ebestiary/blog/2012/05/29/sumatran-tiger/
[2]http://www.realmagick.com/malay-peninsula/
[3]https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/malayan-tiger
[4]http://earthlodgemalaysia.com/about/ulu-muda/
[5]http://mnzoo.org/tigerssp/malayanSSP.html
[6]http://www.snipview.com/q/Malayan_tiger
[7]http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malayan_Tiger_Cubs.jpg
Header: https://www.flickr.com/photos/richsoubletphotography/6709454963
Kamina Flemming
Last updated: 6/8/2015
Biology 203
https://www.scz.org/animal_exhibits-animal.php?a_id=412
http://www.tigers.org.za/malayan-tiger.html
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/136893/0
http://www.pdza.org/malayan-tiger/
Pictures:
[1]http://blogs.evergreen.edu/ebestiary/blog/2012/05/29/sumatran-tiger/
[2]http://www.realmagick.com/malay-peninsula/
[3]https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/malayan-tiger
[4]http://earthlodgemalaysia.com/about/ulu-muda/
[5]http://mnzoo.org/tigerssp/malayanSSP.html
[6]http://www.snipview.com/q/Malayan_tiger
[7]http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malayan_Tiger_Cubs.jpg
Header: https://www.flickr.com/photos/richsoubletphotography/6709454963
Kamina Flemming
Last updated: 6/8/2015
Biology 203