ANIMAL: Sumatran Tiger Panthera sumatrae Type of Animal: Feline Habitat: Forests Location(s): Sumatra Appearance: Orange w/ black stripes & white belly, male has mane-like tufted cheeks & larger than female, otherwise sexes look similar. White whiskers & tail w/ black stripes. Food/Diet: Tapirs, deer, muntjac, pigs, cattle, buffalo, birds, crocodiles, fish, primates, dogs, equines, pythons, other snakes including venomous species, lizards including larger species, tortoises, turtles, hares, rabbits, goats, elephant calves, rhino calves, leopard cubs, civets, porcupines, rodents, carrion, sun bears. Humans have been eaten occasionally. Status in Wild: Critically Endangered Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife parks, & breeding centers. Lifestyle: Solitary, though male-female pairs sometimes hunt together/share kills outside breeding season & siblings sometimes live together for a few years after leaving mom. Additional Info: Called: Male-Tiger Female-Tigress Young-Cub Group-Streak Weight: Male-300 lbs Female-200 lbs Young-18 lbs Gestation: 3.5 months Height: Male-2.6 ft Female-2.3 ft Body Length: Male-6.8 ft Female-6.6 ft Life Span: 18-20 years in wild, up to 25 years in captivity Tail Length: Male-3.4 ft Female-3.3 ft Fights over territory often leading cause of death among adult tigers. Each male territory encompasses 3-6 female territories. Highly endangered due to hunting for medicine trade/fur/meat/sport, persecution as man-eaters & livestock killers, deforestation, loss of prey, habitat loss, inbreeding, pet trade, & natural disasters. Territory marked w/ urine & claw marks. Cubs stay w/ mom for up to 2 years & she protects them from male tigers. They have a very good sense of sight & smell. Smallest species of tiger. Territories range from 10-30 square miles. Crocodiles occasionally eat adults but if crocodile dies first, tiger eats crocodile. Large pythons, dholes, male tigers, & leopards prey on cubs. Fun Fact(s): THEY’RE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN HUNGRY, FEEDING, PROVOKED, OR IF FEMALE HAS CUBS. A tiger’s roar can be heard over a mile away. They will often stalk prey for up to 25 minutes. Only 400-500 Sumatran Tigers exist in the wild, there are more of them in captivity than in the wild.
