Today planet biologists were only six species of tiger, though not so long ago there were many more.But the gradual reduction of forest areas and the ruthless hunting of rare animals inevitably leads to a reduction in the population of these amazing and unique wild predators.Bengal tiger is also recognized as an endangered species, and even listed as endangered, that does not prevent the natives of the East appreciate luxury hide this regal predator and make his canine charms.
In nature, this kind of tigers inhabit the forests of India, Burma and Nepal, in captivity as it can be found in various parts of the globe.Most often in zoos Bengal tiger subspecies lives - a white tiger.And most surprisingly, all white individuals living today are descended from a single cub found in 1951 by the Indian maharajas during the hunt.This famous Bengal tiger named Mohan has long lived in the palace of the Maharajah, who for a long time could not get to achieve the same appearance of rare tigers.White females in the palace was not, and crossbreeding with traditional red tigress gave exclusively ginger offspring.But one day, Mohan mated with one of his daughters, and from this union were born long-awaited cubs with white skin, which gradually gained popularity, and now they can be found in almost all major zoos of the world.
In nature there are only yellow or red Bengal tigers because white is too visible and their existence in the wild makes them too vulnerable.All attempts to release a white tiger in the wild invariably failed.
Regardless of color, all the tigers of this type of unusual large - they have surpassed the weight of even the well-known giants - the Siberian tiger.The maximum weight of which was recorded by biologists - 388.7 kilograms, an increase of almost 5 kilograms more than that of their largest Ussuri brother.However, despite the ancient legend, the largest tiger in the world rarely prey on people, although, of course, meeting with him in the wild can be dangerous.Most Tigers prefer large cloven-hoofed animals - deer, wild boars or deer - an absolute favorite on their menu.
But with most royal predators do not disdain, and much more small prey - rabbits, frogs and even termites may well become their dinner.
addition to size, the Bengal tiger is different from their counterparts in many other indicators.The duration of his life is considered to be the record - some individuals lived to 30 years, that a predator is a rarity.And their individual area can reach as much as 3,000 square kilometers.Biologists explain such large size "personal space" that Bengal Tiger prefers solitude.The female to male are found only in the mating period, in the future, they again go to their territories - the mother does not allow her father to the process of educating the young.
Quiet, powerful and extremely intelligent, these predators of old were in the East, and especially in China, a symbol of wisdom and strength.Some modern linguists even explain the origin of the character denoting power and strength, interlacing lines on the forehead of the Bengal tiger.But, unfortunately, the tiger itself is not brought good - it is because of this character, many of them victims of poachers because skin marked with such a trademark is considered to be sacred and valued unusually high.
Today, the Bengal tiger is not only protected by the Red Book - fighting for the preservation of species and many environmental activists 'green' organizations and the government of India, Burma and Nepal are constantly toughen the punishment for the murder of this luxury predator.
