The biggest cat in the world - it's the Tigers.Nowadays, there are several sub-species of different sizes and with different shades of fur.Three of them are extinct.It deserves special attention Bali Tiger.It was destroyed by man in the last century.Representative of the cat is considered to be the smallest tigers that existed on Earth.
Origin
There are two theories of this subspecies.Proponents of the first inclined to think that the original Balinese and Javan tigers have a common ancestor.However, the Ice Age, they were isolated from each other on different islands.Thus, in one Bali subtype was formed on the other - Javanese.
According to the second theory of the ancient ancestor of these tigers came to the new habitat with other lands, sailed the Strait of Bali, which stretches for 2.4 km.This statement refutes known myth that absolutely all cats are afraid of water.
Appearance.Reproduction
Bali tiger was different from their relatives in small sizes.The males reach a length of 120-230 cm, females are smaller, only 93-183 cm. However, even such size of the predator inspire fear of local people.The weight of the animal does not exceed 100 kg for males and 80 kg in females.
Unlike other relatives Bali Tiger had a very different fur.He was short and rich orange color.The number of bands less than usual, sometimes there are also dark spots.
pregnant females lasted 100-110 days, has always been a litter of 2-3 kittens.They are born blind and helpless, weighing up to 1.3 kg.But towards the year are themselves hunted and hunted prey.However, together with the tigress remained up to 1.5-2 years.We lived these representatives of the cat about 10 years.
Dwelling
Balinese tiger habitat has been Indonesia, Bali.This subspecies has never been seen in other areas.Lifestyle
he was the same, as well as other representatives of the cat.Preferred single animal and a vagabond life.At one point remained for a few weeks, then - I went in search of the new.His territory extinct tigers labeled urine than shown belong specific places certain individuals.
They were great lovers of water.In hot weather, constantly bathed and swam in ponds.
Power
Bali tiger was a predator.I hunt alone, but in rare cases during mating went for prey with his female.If the animal is caught near several individuals, it was a tigress with the grown offspring.
Like other members of the species, it was pretty neat cat, which monitors the state of its fur, licking it periodically, especially after meals.
while hunting applied two methods: stalk and wait for the victim.Masking color helped tigers when hunting down prey.Most often they hunted near the ponds and trails.Crept to extraction small cautious steps, the tiger did some big jumps and overtaking prey.
While waiting predator lying, and when approaching the victim made a quick breakthrough.In the case of penalties greater than 150 meters, he did not pursue the animal.
If successful hunt, like the other big cats, an extinct subspecies of tiger throat gnaw its prey, often while breaking his neck.Over time, he could eat up to 20 kilograms of meat.
When moving predator killed the victim carried it in his mouth and tossed behind.Tiger hunting out at dusk or at night.All the techniques used in this case were the result of mother's education, not innate behaviors.
on its territory Bali Tiger was the top of the food pyramid, hardly anyone can compete with this beast.For him, the most dangerous are the only people.
extinct Bali tiger
destroyed man.Officially, the first of a subspecies shot in 1911.It was the adult, very interested locals.After this incident, a predator began a massive hunt as bait often used livestock.
last tiger was shot September 27, 1937, from this time extinct subspecies recognized.It is known that it was a female.There are even real photos, which show the locals and killed the beast.It is believed that a few individuals could still live up to the 50s.
main reasons for the extinction of the Bali tiger is the destruction of habitat and human barbarian (then popular) hunting predator.Most often it is killed because of the valuable fur.
Officially hunting was banned in 1970 but also about the animal mentioned in the Act to protect wildlife in 1972.
In the culture of inhabitants of the island of Bali tiger occupied a special niche.He was treated with respect.It is found in folk tales, his image was used in the local work.
However, there were those who belonged to an animal wary and even hostile.After the destruction of the beast, many documents and other materials related to the tiger had been destroyed.
in England in the British Museum there are fragments of bones, three skulls and two skins of extinct predator.
