Physical Features Of The
Sumatran Tiger
Size:
The Sumatran tiger is the smallest surviving species of known tiger. An average male tiger would be about 243 cm in length from tail to head. The female is noticeably smaller, and is approximately 213 cm.
The Sumatran tiger is the smallest surviving species of known tiger. An average male tiger would be about 243 cm in length from tail to head. The female is noticeably smaller, and is approximately 213 cm.
Pattern:
The Sumatran Tiger has a distinctive pelt which is used for both identification and camouflage. The pattern consists of multiple black stripes on an orange-brown background. Surprisingly, this pattern, although rather bright without something to compare it with, makes the tiger almost impossible to see in it's natural habitat. |
Claws:
The Sumatran Tiger's claws play a crucial part in it's hunting. They are intractable, meaning that the tiger doesn't need to sharpen them much to keep them sharp. The claws can grow up to 10 cm, compared to domestic cat's claws which measure up to 1.5 cm.
Fun Fact:
The tiger's claws, and the claws of all other cats including domestic breeds grow out straight from the bone in the toe!
The Sumatran Tiger's claws play a crucial part in it's hunting. They are intractable, meaning that the tiger doesn't need to sharpen them much to keep them sharp. The claws can grow up to 10 cm, compared to domestic cat's claws which measure up to 1.5 cm.
Fun Fact:
The tiger's claws, and the claws of all other cats including domestic breeds grow out straight from the bone in the toe!
Teeth:
The extremely large teeth of the Sumatran Tiger can grow up to 7.6 cm and are designed to grab and rip through flesh. The tiger has a set of 'milk teeth' that grow a few weeks after birth, however these fall out to make way for the tiger's permanent teeth. The average tiger has 30 teeth, which is a small amount compared to other carnivores such as wolves, which have up to 42. |
Jaw Strength:
Although small, the Sumatran tiger's jaws are powerful enough to kill prey with a single bite! They are also capable of crushing bones, specifically neck vertibrae.
Although small, the Sumatran tiger's jaws are powerful enough to kill prey with a single bite! They are also capable of crushing bones, specifically neck vertibrae.
Facial Markings:
The facial markings of the Sumatran Tiger warn off other predators and intimidate other tigers. The marking on the tiger's forehead is the Chinese character for 'king'.
The facial markings of the Sumatran Tiger warn off other predators and intimidate other tigers. The marking on the tiger's forehead is the Chinese character for 'king'.
Digestive System:
The Sumatran tiger's digestive system has adapted to let the animal cope with large amounts of food at one time. The average weight of the Sumatran Tiger is around about 100 kg, making it a very heavy kitty! But what if I told you that they eat almost my weight every time they eat! That's 30 kg, almost 1/3 of their body weight!
The Sumatran tiger's digestive system has adapted to let the animal cope with large amounts of food at one time. The average weight of the Sumatran Tiger is around about 100 kg, making it a very heavy kitty! But what if I told you that they eat almost my weight every time they eat! That's 30 kg, almost 1/3 of their body weight!
White Tigers:
In the colder regions of Asia, the extremely rare white tiger may be found. The colouring of this tiger is caused by genes, not by their habitat. Usually, the genes for white fur also cause blue eyes.
In the colder regions of Asia, the extremely rare white tiger may be found. The colouring of this tiger is caused by genes, not by their habitat. Usually, the genes for white fur also cause blue eyes.