The incredible tigers

By Molly L

Introduction

This document is about tigers and their incredible lives in the wild. I will tell you about their prey and predators, physical

description and other fascinating facts.

My research questionsMy research questions are:

-what are some beliefs about the use of tiger body parts?-is deforestation a threat to tigers?

A tigers menuTigers eat meat, which means they are carnivores. Meat is more concentrated in protein and fat than vegetation so tigers usually don’t have to hunt every day. One kill can last up to three days. They are successful hunters because of their coats, which are practically indistinguishable in the forests that are their homes. This is because the sunlight seeping through the leaves makes the forest floor look like the orange, black and yellow pelt of a tiger.

Where do tigers live?

Different types of tigers live in different environments and climates. Tigers that live in cold climates have longer fur to keep warm. They are larger and there fur is paler, to serve as a better camouflage in the snow or other cold condition. Tigers from warmer climates are the opposite (smaller, darker and shorter fur). Tigers live in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Russia, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

Different types of tigers

Here is a graph of the different types of tigers, how many there are and there extinction status

Species Status Number alive

Bengal Endangered 2000Bali Extinct Last seen in the 1930’sIndochinese Endangered 1200Javan Extinct Last seen in the 1980’sMalayan Endangered 800Amur Endangered 600Sumatran Endangered 500South China Endangered Less than 50Caspian Extinct Last seen in the 1970’s

Physical description

Tigers are the largest cat in the world. The biggest subspecies of tigers is the Siberian tiger. A male tiger weighs approximately 226 kilograms and the female can reach 136 kg. The length of a male can reach 3.05 meters in height, and the female 2.44 meters. A tiger’s average height is 90 cm. all the tigers have sharp claws and teeth.

A tiger’s enemy

The tiger’s main enemy is the human race. However, big buffalo bears and elephants are also threats. Humans have poisoned, trapped and heavily hunted tigers to eliminate the threat they caused to livestock. But tigers only caused a threat because humans destroyed their forests (deforestation) for farming and industrial uses.

A tiger’s defence

Tigers defend themselves using their claws and teeth. This protects them other animals. The fact that they are excellent swimmers saves them from hazards like floods and bushfires. Tigers are cautious animals; they do not attack larger than themselves unless they are provoked, attacked or starving.

Beliefs about tiger body parts

Superstition has always surrounded tigers for years. In Malaysia the whiskers are a dreadful poison. Necklets of claws are protecting children from the “evil eye” in some countries. Many body parts are prized medicines like the bones, fat and liver. Tiger parts are also used to aid childbirth in Pakistan and India, and are a powerful aphrodisiac in Indonesia.

Deforestation is a threat to tigers

Deforestation affects tigers because it destroys their natural habitats. Also, it chases away or kills the tiger’s food source; like deer and other such animals. This is happening because farmers and industries want more land.

References

Books

Malcolm penny, M (1988 ) Endangered animals, Wayland, England (2009 ) 500 facts, Animals, Miles Kelly, Essex, Belinda Gallagher, B

Jenni Bruce, Karen McGhee, Luba Vangelove, Richard Voght ( 2008 ) Encyclopedia of Animals, a Complete Visual Guide, Sydney, Weldon Owen PTY LTD

Websites

Kyla Hume, Kyle Kacsmarik, Neil Laidlaw, Megan Lutz, and Rebecca Singleton (no date) Endangered Wildlife: tiger; 11/08/12. www. Edu.pe.ca/southernkings/tiger.htm#top

No names (no date) Buzzle.com, 16/08/12. www.buzzle.com/articles/why-are-the-tigers-endangered.html