Tigers are the largest animals belonging to a numerous family of felines.They are substantially larger than lions.Moreover, the striped cats are the most majestic and charming of all the large animals that live on our planet.The life expectancy of tigers depends on the conditions of their existence.So, in this article we take a closer look with the big cats in the world: to learn how they live and die for that.
said about tigers Vladimir Geptner
Scientists, speaking of tigers can not always use their academic jargon - very charming and attractive, these wild cats.Perhaps the best description of the animal by the famous zoologist Vladimir G. Geptner.In his scientific monograph titled "Mammals of the Soviet Union," he not only describes the life expectancy of a tiger in nature, but also gracefully describes his appearance.
zoologist writes that as a general warehouse is quite typical cat.It has a flexible, elongated body, low legs and a long tail.The front of the tiger enclosure, for obvious reasons, is more developed than the back.The shoulders of a wild beast than in the sacrum.At first glance, it seems certain heaviness, but also a great power.This underlines the strong and broad forepaws, heavy and slightly lowered head.
His withers high and mighty muscles and perfectly highlighted.This is particularly evident in the front of the tiger body.Shoulders strong and "iron".Tiger - a slow animal, even his jumping seem unhurried.Lying tabby cat also gives the impression of quiet power.The general appearance of the "iron" the Beast - a huge physical strength and quiet confidence, coupled with a certain ponderous gravity.Also, the scientist describes the life expectancy of a tiger in nature and in captivity, but we'll discuss this later.
a giant
As we know, the largest and most fearsome cat is a tiger in the world.For example, adult male tigers can reach a length of 3.5 meters and weigh more than 400 kilograms!But not all such large striped cat.For example, Bengal tigers and southern Amur much smaller than their counterparts: their weight does not exceed 220 kilograms.By the way, some scientists believe that from certain anthropometric data depends on the life expectancy of animals (tiger, lion, leopard, elephant, a whale or a gorilla is - does not matter).
Where did they come to us?
Generally considered to be the birthplace of the mighty and fearsome predators - Southeast Asia.That there are more than 10 000 years ago were able to settle in the north, they reached the edge of the Ussuri and Amur region.But the Far East - not only the habitat of these animals once lived tigers across India and inhabited the island of Sumatra, Bali, Java and the Malay Archipelago.
Lifestyle Tigers
Ecology and biology of large cats have a significant impact on the life expectancy of lions and tigers and cheetahs and leopards.After all, they show the greatest activity was in the evening, at night and in the morning, which makes them vulnerable to hunters, poachers.During the day they do not come out of their caves, as fast asleep.Tigers - a solitary hunters.They wander in the footsteps of a man, wild boars and other animals.These cats - excellent swimmers, they love to swim in the waters, to endure the cold.
largest tiger - Amur
Unfortunately, they are also the least numerous in the world: life expectancy of tigers living in the Far East, in the wild is 12-15 years, and in captivity - 24 years.Siberian tigers are the largest subspecies of all felines.Once again, we recall the old males weigh up to 400 kilograms, but the average is their weight does not exceed 3 kilograms.
Moreover, it is the only striped cat adjust to life in the snow.They have thick and long fur.Siberian tigers grow slowly and for a long time, doing it almost all my life.Curiously, the stripes on their shoes are arranged much more rarely than their counterparts.Once the animals have begun to actively destroy, because of this, their life expectancy is considerably reduced.About this talk.
Lifetime Tigers
It's pretty sore subject for all the defenders of animals and, of course, the tigers themselves.The fact that the ever-changing environmental conditions (eg climate change) and external factors of human impact (plowing land, deforestation, poaching) significantly reduce the habitat of the poor animal.Of course, this has a negative impact on their size and lifetime on Earth.
example, the average life expectancy of tigers in the Russian Far East, is approximately 15 years.In the wild, as we know, these animals can live up to 26 years.But few of them can live a long life.The extermination of tigers man and the destruction of their natural habitat - this is a serious threat not only to the striped cats, but for the natural community.
Unfortunately, the current strength of these amazing animals inevitably decline.For example, the life expectancy of the Amur tiger in nature today is 8-10 years, no more!If you compare the population of these cats in the past the XX century with their numbers in the XIX century, the difference was 95%.It is estimated that the current population of tigers living on the planet is about 6,500 individuals.It is very small.
Tigers protected
To increase the life expectancy of tigers and, as a consequence, to multiply their population, these cats have a global security.They are listed in the International Red Book, and hunting them is a 1947 completely prohibited.Unfortunately, it was shooting these giants play a major role in reducing the number of their livestock: people kill tigers for their skins, valuable internal organs, and so on. D.
Tigers and the people: who's who?
At the moment, unfortunately, people are difficult to distinguish from the tiger.People behave worse than animals, they shamelessly destroying wildlife.Note that the Tigers, as though it may sound strange, never hunted people.Hearing the man, they certainly do not take flight, but did not attack first.In general, they are people to meet, cork and keep them away to his closer.
If a person does not take any aggressive action against the cat, Tiger just goes away.These animals do not feel any hatred towards people, no fear.Scientists say that it makes the fear of certain animals rush to the people (as it happens in the case of bears), but for the Tigers this behavior is unusual.Of course, this is not to say that they - innocent animals.
First of all, predators, and no one knows how they will behave in any given moment, so it is better not to risk it.Almost no harm tigers and household person as attacking animals are extremely rare.By the way, wolves, foxes and bears turn up their sheep, goats and chickens to 5 times more than the Tigers.However, these cats are subjected to constant harassment on the part of man.It's not fair.
