Tigers: Evolution and Characteristics
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Questions and Answers

What is the estimated percentage of the tiger population that is made up of Bengal tigers?

  • 20%
  • 50% (correct)
  • 70%
  • 80%
  • What is the average weight of a tiger?

  • 300 pounds
  • 400 pounds
  • 450 pounds (correct)
  • 500 pounds
  • Which subspecies of tiger is the largest?

  • Bengal tiger
  • White tiger
  • African tiger
  • Siberian tiger (correct)
  • Why do tigers have more muscle mass than lions?

    <p>Because they need to support their body weight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the adaptation that allows tigers to push around a greater volume of water with each stroke of their paws?

    <p>Webbed toes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cause of the classic black and orange coloration of most tigers?

    <p>The interaction of eumelanin and pheomelanin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of White Tigers?

    <p>They are a type of Bengal tiger with a mutated gene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated number of tigers that remain in the wild?

    <p>Less than 4,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the decline in tiger populations?

    <p>Deforestation, human development, and poaching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate age of the ancestors of tigers in Africa?

    <p>Two million years ago</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tigers are the smallest cats in the world.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common habitat for tigers?

    <p>Near bodies of water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The decline in tiger populations is due to ______________________ and poaching.

    <p>deforestation and human development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the mutated gene that prevents White Tigers from producing orange pigmentation?

    <p>Unknown</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tigers are excellent swimmers.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the goal of conservation programs for tigers?

    <p>To slowly rebound their populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following characteristics with their corresponding description:

    <p>Large powerful muscles = Siberian tiger Webbed toes = Tigers' adaptation for swimming Classic black and orange coloration = Caused by eumelanin and pheomelanin Mutated gene = White Tigers' lack of orange pigmentation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    There are currently approximately ______________________ tigers remaining in the wild.

    <p>fewer than 4,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Tigers: Evolution and Characteristics

    • Tigers have evolved into six subspecies, with their ancestors tracing back to about two million years ago in Africa.
    • The most numerous subspecies is the Bengal tiger, accounting for approximately 50% of the tiger population worldwide.

    Physical Characteristics

    • Tigers are the world's largest cats, weighing around 450 pounds on average.
    • The Siberian tiger subspecies is the largest, measuring up to 13 feet long and weighing up to 660 pounds due to its large powerful muscles.
    • Tigers have more muscle mass than lions, making them heavier.

    Adaptations

    • Tigers have webbed toes, allowing them to push around a greater volume of water with each stroke of their paws.
    • They have adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, often living near bodies of water and being excellent swimmers.

    Coloration

    • The classic black and orange coloration of most Tigers is caused by the pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin.
    • White Tigers are a type of Bengal tiger, carrying a mutated version of the gene that prevents them from producing orange pigmentation.

    Conservation Status

    • Fewer than 4,000 Tigers remain in the wild, a decline of about 96% from the approximately 100,000 Tigers that roamed the wild at the turn of the 20th century.
    • The decline is due to deforestation, human development, and poaching.
    • Conservation programs are in place to protect Tigers and their habitats, with the hope of slowly rebounding their populations.

    Evolution of Tigers

    • Tigers evolved from African ancestors around two million years ago, splitting into six subspecies.
    • The Bengal tiger is the most numerous subspecies, making up around 50% of the global tiger population.

    Physical Characteristics

    • Tigers are the largest cats in the world, with an average weight of around 450 pounds.
    • The Siberian tiger is the largest subspecies, growing up to 13 feet long and weighing up to 660 pounds due to its powerful muscles.
    • Tigers have more muscle mass than lions, making them heavier.

    Adaptations

    • Tigers have webbed toes, allowing them to swim efficiently by pushing around a greater volume of water with each stroke.
    • They have adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle, often living near water bodies and being excellent swimmers.

    Coloration

    • The classic black and orange coloration of most tigers is caused by the pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin.
    • White Tigers are a type of Bengal tiger, carrying a mutated gene that prevents them from producing orange pigmentation.

    Conservation Status

    • There are fewer than 4,000 tigers remaining in the wild, a decline of around 96% from the original 100,000 tigers at the start of the 20th century.
    • The decline is attributed to deforestation, human development, and poaching.
    • Conservation programs are in place to protect tigers and their habitats, aiming to slowly increase their populations.

    Evolution of Tigers

    • Tigers evolved from African ancestors around two million years ago, splitting into six subspecies.
    • The Bengal tiger is the most numerous subspecies, making up around 50% of the global tiger population.

    Physical Characteristics

    • Tigers are the largest cats in the world, with an average weight of around 450 pounds.
    • The Siberian tiger is the largest subspecies, growing up to 13 feet long and weighing up to 660 pounds due to its powerful muscles.
    • Tigers have more muscle mass than lions, making them heavier.

    Adaptations

    • Tigers have webbed toes, allowing them to swim efficiently by pushing around a greater volume of water with each stroke.
    • They have adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle, often living near water bodies and being excellent swimmers.

    Coloration

    • The classic black and orange coloration of most tigers is caused by the pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin.
    • White Tigers are a type of Bengal tiger, carrying a mutated gene that prevents them from producing orange pigmentation.

    Conservation Status

    • There are fewer than 4,000 tigers remaining in the wild, a decline of around 96% from the original 100,000 tigers at the start of the 20th century.
    • The decline is attributed to deforestation, human development, and poaching.
    • Conservation programs are in place to protect tigers and their habitats, aiming to slowly increase their populations.

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    Learn about the evolution of tigers, their subspecies, and their physical characteristics, including their size and weight.

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