Where can I find tigers in the wild?

            Tigers can be found in forests, woodlands, swamps, and shrubland. Tigers are excellent swimmers and can often be found living near bodies of water.

            Tigers can be found in Indian subcontinent, Amur River region of Russia, China, and North Korea, South central China, Sumatra, Indonesia, and Continental southeast Asia.

How much does a tiger weigh?

            There are many subspecies of tigers and they all vary in size. The Siberian tiger is the largest and can be up to 650 pounds. Sumatran tigers are the smallest and weigh an average of 300 pounds.

What do tigers eat?

Tigers are carnivores, meaning they strictly eat meat. They are ambush hunters and predominantly hunt at dawn and dusk.

Do tigers live in groups?

 Tigers are typically solitary animals, only coming together to reproduce. Tigers can breed throughout the year, but most breeding occurs between November through April. Females can start reproducing at 3-4 years, and males will start reproducing at 4-5 years. Tigers are pregnant for about 16 weeks and then the cubs will stay with mom for about 2 years. Once they’ve reached this age, they will leave mom and find their own territory. Females typically establish a territory close to their mothers, but male cubs will establish a territory much farther away.

Do all tigers have the same pattern of stripes?

            Every tiger has a unique pattern to their stripes. Researchers can use this to identify different tigers while studying them.

Are tigers endangered?

            Tigers are considered to be endangered by the IUCN Red List, which is one step below critically endangered. Tigers are facing several threats in the wild, which is contributing to their declining population. The two biggest threats to tigers are habitat destruction and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. Forests are being cut down for logging, farms, and cities.

What can I do to help tigers in the wild?  

            If you visit regions where tigers live, make sure you don’t purchase anything made of their skin, bones, or meat. If you purchase any of these things, including herbal medicines, you are supporting the demand for tigers to be poached.

            The habitat where tigers live are destroyed for logging and agriculture. Make sure to reduce and reuse natural resources! Many companies have made steps toward reducing their environmental impact and protect wild spaces. Do your research and support those companies striving to help. For more information on the threats facing tigers and what you can do to help, visit the IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15955/50659951#threats