Sumatran tiger

Sumatran tiger
(Panthera tigris sumatrae)

There are about 400 Sumatran tigers throughout the world today,
many in zoos in Europe, Australia and North America. The single
largest population in the wild is found in the national parks,
forest reserves and tiger conservation zones of Indonesia.

The tiger is the largest of the felids, although the Sumatran is
smaller than the Indian tiger. They hunt mouse deer, wild pigs,
monkeys, lizards and snakes, and may occasionally kill a
rhinoceros or elephant calf for food. Only about 1/10 or 1/20
attempts to catch prey is successful. Tigers are a territorial
species, and their hunting grounds generally span several dozen
hundred hectares.

Sumatran tigers live in areas with moderate to dense foliage, as
they rely on ambushing their prey. Their stripes act as
camouflage when crouching behind tall grass and other jungle
undergrowth.

They are sometimes seen near waterfalls and other water sources
in hot weather, cooling themselves. Sumatran tigers have webbed
toes, and are good swimmers known to cross several rivers in
search of prey.

The Sumatran tiger is listed as an endangered species, as
poaching, habitat destruction, human population growth and
development have contributed to a severe decline in population.
It has also been hunted exclusively for its characteristic
striped pelt.

Its body parts, including its teeth, bones, claws, innards, eyes
and genital organs are used in various traditional medicines said
to increase libido and virility. Poachers also hunt female tigers
with a litter, killing the mother for her parts and reselling the
cubs as "exotic" pets.

In Indonesia, it is illegal for an individual to own a tiger or
any other endangered animal.

Quick facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: Tigris
Subspecies: Sumatrae

Avg length: 2.4 m (from nose to tip of tail)
Avg weight: 100-170 kg
Gestation: 103 days
Offspring: 2-4 cubs
Life Span: 10-15 yrs in the wild; 20 yrs in captivity

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Sources: various