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Bengal Tiger: A Comparative Analysis with Other Tiger Subspecies
- Kawaljeet Kaur
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
The Indian tiger, also known as the Bengal tiger, is scientifically named Panthera Tigris Tigris. ‘Panthera’ is the genus, encompassing big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars. ‘Tigris’ is the species designation, specifically for tigers. ‘Tigris’ again serves as the subspecies name, referring to the Bengal tiger found in the Indian subcontinent.
The repetition of "Tigris" stems from the biological taxonomic classification system. Here, the species name is repeated as the subspecies name to denote it as the nominate subspecies, or the original type subspecies described for the species.
Essentially, 'Panthera Tigris-Tigris' is the original or type subspecies of tiger, against which all other tiger subspecies are compared.
'Panthera Tigris-Tigris or The Majestic Bengal Tiger' with its unique orange and black stripes, inhabits the forests and grasslands of India, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. The Bengal tiger is the most prevalent tiger subspecies, found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. They thrive in diverse habitats, from forests to grasslands. Bengal tigers are recognized for their striking orange and black stripes, which serve as camouflage in their natural surroundings.
But did you know there are six tiger subspecies, each with distinct traits and behaviors?
The main differences include size, coat color and pattern, unique stripe patterns and colors, conservation status, habitat, and distribution.
Panthera Tigris-Tigris or The Majestic Bengal Tiger' Comparison with Other Subspecies:
Subspecies | Weight (males) | Length (males) | Coat Color and Pattern | Habitat and Distribution |
Bengal Tiger- (Panthera Tigris-Tigris) | Up to 260 kg (570 lbs) | Up to 3.5 m (11.5 ft) | Orange and black stripes | Forests, grasslands, mangrove swamps; India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar |
Indochinese Tiger (Panthera Tigris Corbetti) | Up to 190 kg (420 lbs) | Up to 3.2 m (10.5 ft) | Darker stripes than Bengal tiger | Forests, grasslands; Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam |
Malayan Tiger (Panthera Tigris Jacksoni) | Up to 120 kg (264 lbs) | Up to 2.9 m (9.5 ft) | Narrower stripes than Bengal tiger | Forests; Malaysia, southern Thailand |
Sumatran Tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae) | Up to 140 kg (308 lbs) | Up to 3.0 m (9.8 ft) | Darkest stripes of all subspecies | Forests; Sumatra, Indonesia |
Siberian Tiger (Panthera Tigris Altaica) | Up to 320 kg (705 lbs) *(Heaviest among all others) | Up to 4.0 m (13.1 ft) | Pale orange with black stripes | Forests, grasslands; Russia's Far East |
South China Tiger (Panthera Tigris Amoyensis) | Up to 150 kg (331 lbs) | Up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) | Narrower stripes than Bengal tiger | Forests; southern China (functionally extinct) |
4 Key Facts About Tiger Subspecies
1. Siberian tigers are the largest, while Malayan tigers are the smallest.
2. Each subspecies has distinct stripe patterns and colors, making them easily identifiable. For example, the Sumatran tiger has darker stripes than the Bengal tiger, which helps it blend in with the dense forests of Sumatra.
3. Bengal tigers inhabit a wide range of habitats, while Sumatran tigers are found only in Sumatran forests.
4. All tiger subspecies are endangered, with the South China tiger being functionally extinct.
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Sources & Links:
IUCN Red List. (2022). Panthera tigris.
World Wildlife Fund. (2022). Tiger Subspecies.
Wildlife Conservation Society. (2022). Tiger.
Picture of Indochinese Tiger by Accipiter (R. Altenkamp, Berlin)
Malayan Tiger at National Zoo Malaysia
Picture of Sumatran Tiger By Captain Herbert
Picture of Siberian Tiger By Appaloosa
Picture of South China Tiger By J. Patrick Fischer
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