The Malayan Tiger >> Tiger Facts & Trivia
THE MALAYAN TIGER
The Ninth Tiger
Search the tiger on the Internet and you will come across many pages of information on tigers. Having worked closely with Malayan Tigers over the last eight years, however, we believe we have a few interesting snippets of information about tigers that perhaps are not so commonly known. We certainly would like to hear from anyone who can confirm or reject our notions.
Origins of the Tiger
The tiger has not, as many would have believed, originated from the tropical jungles of Asia. Instead, the tiger may have its origins lie in the snowbound forests of north Asia in Siberia.
And as the tigers moved southwards, the tiger shed thicker fur and body fat due to the warmer climates, becoming ever smaller as it reached the equator. This may explain why the tigers of Siberia are the largest and why the tigers of Sumatra are the smallest.
Click here for more on the Origins of the Tiger
Also see: Classification of Tigers
The White Tiger
The white tiger is not a separate sub-species. Instead, it is a tiger that lacks the colour pigmentations as a result of a rare genetic mutation. White tigers are not true albinos, since the tiger maintains its prominent black stripes and normal eye colouration.
Untrue to the common misconception, white tigers did not originate from the white tundra of Siberia: they are simply white Bengal Tigers. White tigers found worldwide are descendants of an original pair found in India. White tiger offspring can result of a marriage between a white tiger and a normal-phased tiger.
All white tigers are, at least, part Bengal.
Sustainability
Biologists estimate that a minimum of 50 breeding pairs are required to ensure the survival of a tiger population. Tiger populations are scattered throughout 162 locations in 13 Asian countries, accounting for 5,000-8,000 tigers. Only six of these locations meet the minimum criteria of 50 pairs. Hence, the need for corridors linking some of these populations together.
A Tiger's Menu
In addition to its usual menu of boar and deer, the tiger has been known to feast on the occasional monkey. While it cannot climb trees with the agility of monkeys, it has been known, in Malaysia anyway, that a tiger would work its way stealthily under a tree of monkeys and roar! A roar so loud that frightened monkeys would fall off their perches down to the waiting tiger.
Tigers also eat grass and/or fruit.
Hunting Habits
A tiger is known as a solitary animal, hunting prey on its own and using decomposing flesh to mark its territory. In India, however, tigers have been captured on film hunting in packs. While it is not a common habit, tigers are now known to hunt in packs.
Calvin & Hobbes
Many of Hobbes characteristics in the popular cartoon Calvin & Hobbes seem to be based on the natural characteristics of the tiger. We can personally vouch for Hobbes tendency to stalk Calvin as we have a few of our own such experiences with all our tigers, minus any scars.
Updated January 26, 2011
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