Sumatran Tiger

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Sumatran Tiger

Critically endangered^[1]

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Felidae
Genus:	Panthera
Species:	P. tigris
Subspecies:	P. t. sumatrae

Trinomial name

Panthera tigris sumatrae
Pocock, 1929

Distribution map

The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a subspecies of tiger found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The wild population is estimated at between 400 and 500 animals, occurring predominantly in the island's national parks. Recent genetic testing has revealed the presence of unique genetic markers, indicating that it may develop into a separate species, if it is not made extinct.^[2] This has led to suggestions that the Sumatran tiger should have greater priority for conservation than any other subspecies. Habitat destruction is the main threat to the existing tiger population (logging continues even in the supposedly protected national parks), but 66 tigers were recorded as being shot and killed between 1998 and 2000—nearly 20% of the total population.

1 Physical characteristics
2 Habitat and conservation effort
3 Diet
4 Reproduction
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Physical characteristics

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all still existing tiger subspecies. Male Sumatran tigers average 234 cm (7 feet, 8 inches) in length from head to tail and weigh about 136 kg (300 pounds). Females average 198 cm (6 feet, 6 inches) in length and weigh about 91 kg (200 pounds). Its stripes are narrower than other subspecies of tigers' stripes, and it has a more bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. Its small size makes it easier to move through the jungle. It has webbing between its toes that, when spread, makes Sumatran tigers very fast swimmers. It has been known to drive hoofed prey into the water, especially if the prey animal is a slow swimmer.

[edit] Habitat and conservation effort

Sumatran tiger in the Melbourne Zoo

The Sumatran tiger is only found in Sumatra, a large island in western Indonesia. It lives anywhere from lowland forests to mountain forest and inhabit many unprotected areas. Only about 400 live in game reserves and national parks and the rest are spread out in areas that are quickly being lost to agriculture. The reserves are not safe because despite conservation efforts, many tigers are killed by poachers each year.

In 2007, The Indonesian Forestry Ministry and Safari Park have established cooperation with the Australia Zoo for the conservation of Sumatran tigers and other endangered species. The cooperation agreement was marked by the signing of a Letter of Intent on 'Sumatran Tiger and other Endangered Species Conservation Program and the Establishment of a Sister Zoo Relationship between Taman Safari and Australia Zoo', at the Indonesian Forestry Ministry office, on July 31, 2007.

The programs to be carried out would include a program to conserve Sumatran tigers and other endangered species in the wild, efforts to reduce conflicts between tigers and humans, and a program to rehabilitate Sumatran tigers and reintroduce them to their natural habitat.

[edit] Diet

Sumatran Tigers commonly prey on larger ungulates, like wild boar, tapir and deer, and sometimes also smaller animals, like fowl, and fish. Orangutans could be prey, but since they spend a minimal amount of time on the ground, tigers rarely catch one.

[edit] Reproduction

Tigers can breed at any time of year, though they typically breed during the winter or spring, and the gestation period is about 103 days. Normally they have 2 or 3 cubs, but can have as many as 6. The cubs are born with their eyes closed and weigh approximately 1.36 kg (3 pounds) each. Their eyes usually open by the tenth day, though some zoo born cubs have been recorded to have their eyes open at birth. During the first eight weeks they consume only milk and after then they can start trying harder food but still suckle for 5 or 6 months. The cubs first leave the den at 2 weeks old and learn to hunt at 6 months old. They can completely hunt for themselves at 18 months and at 2 years they are fully independent. They can live for about 15 years in the wild, and 20 in captivity.

[edit] References

^ Cat Specialist Group (1996). Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this subspecies is critically endangered and the criteria used.
^ Cracraft J., Feinstein J., Vaughn J., Helm-Bychowski K. (1998). "Sorting out tigers (Panthera tigris) Mitochondrial sequences, nuclear inserts, systematics, and conservation genetics". Animal Conservation 1: 139–150. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1795.1998.tb00021.x.