Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis) , also known as Royal Bengal tiger or Indian tiger
Habitat area
The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis), also known as the Royal Bengal tiger or Indian tiger, is a subspecies of tiger inhabiting northern and central India, eastern Iran, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma and Tibet.
It is the most numerous and best known subspecies of tiger, and is found in a wide variety of habitats, including savannahs and tropical and subtropical forests. The Bengal tiger inhabits a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to dry savannahs and mangroves.
The tiger is a national animal in India and Bangladesh.
Appearance
This subspecies is smaller than Panthera tigris altaica: males reach 205-227 kg, while females typically weigh 140-150 kg. The body length of males varies from 270 to 310 cm (some animals are reported to reach 370 cm), females are smaller - 240 to 265 cm (maximum up to 290 cm), tail length is 85 to 110 cm, height at withers is 90 to 110 cm. The colour of Panthera tigris tigris varies from yellow to light orange and the stripes are dark brown to black, its belly is white and its tail is predominantly white with black rings. The roar of Panthera tigris tigris can be heard up to 3 km away.
Nutrition
The main prey of Panthera tigris tigris are various ungulates: wild boar, roe deer, spotted deer, barassins, Indian zambar, antelope and even large and dangerous animals such as buffalo and gaur. However, Panthera tigris tigris can also hunt predators such as foxes, red wolves and jackals; it is unfazed by monkeys, porcupines, birds, snakes and frogs, fish, insects and carrion. Panthera tigris tigris can eat up to 40 kg of meat in a single meal and can survive a three-week hunger strike.
Conservation status
Panthera tigris tigris is more abundant than all other subspecies. According to the Indian government, about 2,000 tigers live in India. About 200 tigers live in Bangladesh, 140 in Pakistan, 155 in Nepal, about 30 in Iran and about 70 in Bhutan; in Afghanistan the tiger has been completely subdued. But despite this, the Panthera tigris tigris is also endangered, mainly due to poaching and the destruction of its natural habitat. Poachers kill about 150 tigers every year for their skin, bones and internal organs, which are widely used in traditional medicine in China and other countries.
Panthera tigris tigris is the national animal of Bangladesh and India.
