Hey! We are The White Tigers. You must be wondering why we look white, it is because of a recessive gene that mutated our coat to white color
If you observe carefully, we are big, even bigger than normal tigers. Our majestic look, ferocious face, powerful paws can mesmerize anyone and can induce fear in any animal. Read more about us:
- Since we are different than normal tigers, we have several threats to our survival in the wild. Many of our prey identify us easily which leads to less availability of food and also, we are prone to many diseases.
- We are larger than normal tigers both in length and weight.
- We have very attractive eyes which are blue in color.
- Like normal tigers, we have a very loud roar (can be heard from as far as 3km).
- We can run fast, with speeds of 65kmph-80kmph.
- We are very powerful animals and we sometimes hunt other predators like Leopards and Crocodiles.
- Do you know? We are very rarely seen in the wild and we mostly live in zoos and other protected areas.
- We play a prominent role in many cultures, traditions, myths, sports, Literature, logos, symbolism, and folklore.
SOME QUICK NOTES:
Our Scientific Name: Panthera Tigris Tigris.
Our Identification: Big cat having white body with black stripes.
Our Habitat: Zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
We live in:
Our Food habits: Carnivorous; Chital, Sambar, Gaur, wild boar, hog deer, muntjac, grey langur, porcupine, hare, and peafowl.
Our Breeding Period: November to April.
Our Gestation Period: About 103 days.
Number of cubs born: 3-4
Lifespan: 10-15 years.
Estimated Population: 200 individuals
IUCN red list status: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivore
Suborder: Feliformia
Genus: Panthera
Species: P. tigris
Subspecies: P.t.tigris
More information for Animal Enthusiasts:
We are the biggest wild cats (bigger than normal Bengal tigers) in the world.
We are scientifically called as Panthera Tigris Tigris.
HOW WE LOOK:
We are large cat-like animals with long, thick, white coat as skin with black and white stripes and white bellies.
The average length of the male is more than 300 cm and of the female is about 250-300 cm (making females relatively smaller to males).
The length of our tail is 95-120 cm. The weight of the male is more than 300 kgs and of the female is more than 180 kgs. We have sharp and stout teeth.
WHAT WE EAT:
We are carnivores and consume a lot of meat, often 18-40 kgs. Since we are only found in zoos, we are fed various types of meat by the zookeepers to regulate our health and diet.
In the wild we hunt for large size prey like Chital, Sambar, Gaur, etc., medium size prey like wild boar, hog deer, muntjac, grey langur, etc., small size prey such as porcupine, hare, peafowl, etc.
WE ARE FOUND IN:
We are found in Indian sub-continent i.e. India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. We can be seen mostly in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries and rarely in forests. In India, our range lies in Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and in Bihar.
OUR REPRODUCTION:
We mate mostly during November-April with the gestation period of 103 days and giving birth to 3-4 cubs at a time. The cubs follow their mother for up to 8 weeks and learn to hunt by then. These cubs become independent at around 18 months of age. Our average lifespan is 10-15 years and we can live up to 20 years.
MORE ABOUT US:
We are very impressive hunters with very good hunting skills.
We are really good swimmers.
Our roar can be easily heard as far as 3 km.
We can run up to speeds of 65-80 kmph.
OUR CONSERVATION:
We are considered as endangered species along with normal tigers. Our attractive skin attracts poachers which led to extreme hunting.
Poaching is an act where we are killed illegally for their skin, bones and other body parts.
The Indian government introduced two acts namely
1. Indian Wildlife Protection Act. 1972, Schedule I , enabling the government to take strict measures to ensure the continuity of the species.
2. Project Tiger. 1973, Helps in using Tiger reserves as breeding nuclei and surplus animals emigrate to adjacent forests.
These operations help in the reduction of poaching and help in increasing our population.
We are classified as “Endangered” species in IUCN red list and “Appendix I” in CITES.
The current population in the world is around 200 individuals.
