Indian Tiger Popularly known as Royal Bengal
Tiger is a national animal of India
Description:
Common Name: Indian Tiger
Scientific Name: Leo Tigris
The Indian Tiger has a small head in proportion to his body. He's not cold-
blooded, but a warm-blooded mammal who weighs 400-569 lbs.
The measurement of the Indian Tiger, from the balancing tail, to the strong,
pointed teeth, measures around 10 ft.
At birth the Indian Tiger cub weighs between 800 - 1500 grams and measures 31
- 40 cm in length. By the time the tiger reaches maturity it can weigh up to
250 kg and measure 3 metres from nose to tail (females are usually slightly
smaller than the male).
The Indian tiger is a reddish-brown to rust-brown colour with a white underbelly.
It is known for its distinctive black stripes. White and black tigers are caused
by a recessive gene.
Diet: The Bengal tiger is a meat eater with a diet that includes deer, pig,
buffalo. Occasionally the tiger will eat birds and fish.
Behavioural Characteristics: The Indian Tiger cub stays with its mother
and siblings until about the age of two when they move on to establish its own
territory.
The tiger is usually a solitary animal except during the breeding season. During
breeding season, which most commonly takes place during the winter and spring,
last about 20 to 30 days. During this time, tigers communicate with each other
with loud and distinct calls that travel great distances.
Environment: The Indian Tiger lives in the country of India, on the
continent of Asia. This Tiger is happy in his habitat as long as he lives near
tall grass, wet swamps, dim forests and prey.
Current Status Of Tiger in India :The Indian Tiger is being killed for
sport and for profit. People kill them every day for their teeth, fur, and body
parts. The Indian Tiger is losing lots of their territory, because its habitat
is being disturbed.
But it needs more territory in order to survive. We hope the Indian Tiger doesn't
become extinct. India holds over half the world's tiger population. Though referred
to by experts as a "guesstimate", the last all-India census in 1993
estimated a total of 3,750 tigers.
The figure was a sharp decline from the previous census four years earlier.
Of these only 1,266 (34%) of the total were found within the boundaries of the
then 19 (there are now 25, covering an area of over 33,000 sq km) Project Tiger
Reserves.
The current estimate of the number of tigers in India is from 3,000 to 3,500
tigers. Many of the tiger populations, particularly those outside protected
reserves, are fragmented, suffer from intense poaching pressure, a dwindling
prey base and over-used habitat.
Solutions: Along with other species, people are trying to save these
savage Indian Tigers. They are doing so by putting aside space for tigers and
their prey. Indian Tigers and other tigers will not disturb us. We should not
disturb them, either.
Indian Tiger Protection Programme :
Tiger Poaching & Illegal Wildlife Trade Investigations
Support to Corbett Tiger Reserve & Adjoining Forests
Grassroots NGO Support Network
Database on Tiger Poaching, Trade & Wildlife Crimes
WPSI Tiger Protection Awards
Support to Sundarban Tiger Reserve
Award for Information that Leads to Seizure of Tiger Parts