Sumatran tigers are yet one of the famous categories of wild tigers. Their name is derived from where they’re found most: the island of Sumatra which is part of the republic of Indonesia.
The bad news is that Sumatran tigers are endangered species, with the total population not exceeding five hundreds. This is why the Indonesian government tries to preserve them within national parks (out of fear of them being hunted), and tries to breed them as possible.
Another major reason behind the very small Sumatran tiger population is that their natural habitat was destroyed, whether it is by mining activities, urbanization, etc…
Another major reason behind the very small Sumatran tiger population is that their natural habitat was destroyed, whether it is by mining activities, urbanization, etc…
Sumatran tigers are known for their relatively small size compared to other tiger subspecies. Male Sumatran tigers are between 200 to 250 cm in length and weight between 120 and 150 kilograms. Female Sumatran tigers are between 180 to 210 cm in length generally with a weight ranging between 80 and 110 kilograms.
Their small size has helped them become fast runners and as such have less problem hunting for their preys. Their bones structure, especially around the legs and toes makes them also quiet good at swimming.
Their small size has helped them become fast runners and as such have less problem hunting for their preys. Their bones structure, especially around the legs and toes makes them also quiet good at swimming.
When it comes to breeding, Sumatran tigers follow the general tiger breeding criteria: they can mate usually at anytime during the year but may sometime be more active during the spring. The female Sumatran tiger goes into a three and a half gestation period before giving birth.
Like cats, small cubs are born with their eyes closed and it takes them around two weeks to open them. They follow a milk only diet during the first couple of month of them being born, and they stay close to their mother who takes real good care of them and protects them from dangers. They may start developing hunting skills (with the help of their mother at first) starting the fifth to sixth month. It might take them a full year before they become well skilled.
When it comes to food, Sumatran tigers are seen to prefer night time prey hunting, when they can use their good senses and the cover of the night in order for them to surprise the preys. They prefer hunting for bears and deers, but they have no problem eating any kind of meat whenever they are hungry.
Despite all the efforts taking place in order to preserve the Sumatran tigers, it is believed that around 60 to 70 tigers were shot dead during the late years of the 90’s. Such a number may look small to the reader, but in fact represents close to fifteen percent of the total Sumatran tiger population.
this article is copied/paste from: http://www.tigerdata.infoplease also check this video out. A footage of wild sumateran tiger caught on tape in their natural habitat. Source: youtube
No comments:
Post a Comment