# Tiger (*Panthera tigris*)

> Tigers are the largest living cat species, reaching up to 300 kg (660 lb). They are solitary, primarily nocturnal hunters native to Asia, from Siberian forests to tropical mangroves. Every tiger's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. Wild tigers live around 10 to 15 years.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Endangered
- **Range:** Forests, grasslands, and mangroves across Asia, from the Russian Far East to Sumatra.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tiger/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Felidae
- **Genus:** Panthera

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Panthera tigris |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Forest, grassland, mangrove swamp |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years in the wild |
| Weight | 90–300 kg (200–660 lb) |
| Top speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |

## Behavior

Unlike lions, tigers are solitary and territorial, coming together only to mate. They are powerful swimmers and, unusually for cats, enjoy water, often cooling off in rivers and lakes. Tigers communicate through scent marks, scratch marks, and vocalizations that can carry for kilometers.

## Diet and hunting

Tigers are ambush predators that hunt deer, wild boar, and other large mammals. They stalk silently and use their immense strength to overpower prey, often dragging carcasses far heavier than themselves to cover. A tiger may eat up to 35 kg (77 lb) of meat in one night.

## Habitat and range

Tigers once roamed across much of Asia. Today they survive in scattered populations from the snowy forests of the Russian Far East to the mangroves of the Sundarbans and the tropical forests of India and Southeast Asia.

## Conservation

Wild tiger numbers crashed in the 20th century due to poaching and habitat loss, with as few as 3,200 remaining around 2010. Intensive conservation has since helped numbers begin to recover in some countries, but tigers remain Endangered.

## Subspecies and size

The tiger is the largest living cat. Surviving subspecies include the Bengal, Siberian (Amur), Sumatran, Indochinese, Malayan, and South China tiger. The Siberian tiger is the biggest, with large males exceeding 300 kg (660 lb), while island-dwelling Sumatran tigers are the smallest.

## Hunting and territory

Unlike lions, tigers are solitary and ambush prey alone, relying on their stripes for camouflage in tall grass and forest. Each tiger defends a large territory marked with scent and scratch marks, and a single adult may range over dozens of square kilometers in search of deer, wild boar, and other large prey.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are tigers endangered?

Yes. Tigers are listed as Endangered by the IUCN, with only a few thousand left in the wild, and the South China tiger may already be extinct in the wild.

### Can tigers swim?

Yes. Unlike most cats, tigers are strong swimmers that readily enter water to cool off or cross rivers, and they will even pursue prey into the water.

### Are tigers the biggest cats in the world?

Yes. Tigers are the largest of all living cat species. The Siberian (Amur) tiger is the biggest subspecies, with males weighing up to about 300 kg (660 lb).

### What do tigers eat?

Tigers are carnivores that mainly hunt large prey such as deer and wild boar. They are ambush hunters and can eat up to 35 kg of meat in a single feeding.

### Why do tigers have stripes?

A tiger's stripes provide camouflage in tall grass and dappled forest light, helping it stalk prey unseen. Each tiger's stripe pattern is unique, and the markings are also present on its skin.

### How many tigers are left in the wild?

Recent estimates put the wild tiger population at roughly 4,500 individuals. Numbers have begun to recover in some countries thanks to anti-poaching efforts and habitat protection, but tigers remain Endangered.

### How long do tigers live?

Wild tigers typically live 10 to 15 years, while tigers in captivity can live up to 20 to 25 years with veterinary care and a steady food supply.

## Sources

- Goodrich, J. et al. (2022). Panthera tigris. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- Mazák, V. (1981). Panthera tigris. Mammalian Species, American Society of Mammalogists.
- Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World (6th ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tiger/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.