types of tigers

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 13 February 2021
Update Date: 18 May 2024
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All Types Of Tiger - All Living Sub-Species Of Tigers
Video: All Types Of Tiger - All Living Sub-Species Of Tigers

Content

Tigers are mammals that are part of the family Felidae. It divides into subfamilies feline (cats, lynx, cougars, among others) and Pantherinae, which is subdivided into three genres: neofelis (leopard), Uncia (leopard) and panthera (includes species of lions, leopards, panthers and tigers). They exist various species of tigers that are distributed in different parts of the world.

Do you want to meet the types of tigers, their names and characteristics? PeritoAnimal has prepared for you this list with all existing subspecies. Keep reading!

Tiger Characteristics

Before describing the tiger subspecies, you need to know the general characteristics of the tiger animal. Currently, they are distributed in only 6% of the territory they inhabited 100 years ago. You can find them in several countries in Asia and some areas in Europe. Therefore, it is estimated that there is between 2,154 and 3,159 specimens, while the population is declining.


They live in climate forests tropical, meadows and steppes. Its diet is carnivorous and includes animals such as birds, fish, rodents, amphibians, primates, ungulates and other mammals. They are solitary and territorial animals, although areas where up to 3 females live with a male are common.

Why is the tiger in danger of extinction?

Currently, there are several reasons why the tiger is in danger of extinction:

  • Indiscriminate hunting;
  • Diseases caused by introduced species;
  • Expansion of agricultural activities;
  • Consequences of mining and the expansion of cities;
  • War conflicts in their habitats.

Next, learn about the types of tigers and their characteristics.

types of tigers

As with lions, there is currently just a kind of tiger (tiger panther). From this species derive the 5 tiger subspecies:


  • Siberian tiger;
  • South China Tiger;
  • Indochina Tiger;
  • Malay Tiger;
  • Bengal tiger.

Now that you know how many types of tigers there are, we invite you to get to know each one. Come on!

Siberian tiger

The first of these types of tigers is the Panthera tigris ssp. altaica, or Siberian tiger. It is currently distributed in Russia, where its population is estimated at 360 adult individuals. Also, there are some specimens in China, although the number is unknown.

the siberian tiger it reproduces once every 2 years. It is characterized by having an orange coat crossed by black stripes. It weighs between 120 and 180 kilos.

South China Tiger

The South Chinese Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. amoyensis) It is considered extinct in nature, although it is possible that there are some undocumented free specimens; however, none have been seen since 1970. If it exists, it may be located in different areas of China.


It is estimated that it weighs between 122 and 170 kilos. Like other tiger species, it has an orange fur crossed with stripes.

Indochinese Tiger

The Indochina Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. corbetti) is distributed by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and other Asian countries. However, populations in each of them are very small.

Little information is available about the habits of this tiger subspecies. However, it is known that it reaches a weight of almost 200 kilos and has the characteristic coat of tigers.

Malay Tiger

Among the types of tigers and their characteristics, the Malay tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. jacksoni) exists only in Malaysia peninsula, where it inhabits forest areas. Currently, there are between 80 and 120 specimens, as its population has decreased by 25% over the last generation. The main reason for this is the deterioration of their habitat.

The Malay tiger displays the characteristic coloration of the species and has the same living and feeding habits. Furthermore, the biggest threat to its conservation is the human intervention in its habitat, which reduces its possibility of survival as it makes the species that the tiger hunts disappear.

Sumatran tiger

The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae) is distributed in 10 national parks in Indonesia, where it lives in protected areas. The population is estimated between 300 and 500 adult specimens.

It is considered the smallest tiger subspecies, because it weighs between 90 and 120 kilos. It has the same physical appearance as other varieties, but the streaks that crisscross its fur are finer.

Bengal tiger

The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. tiger) is distributed in the Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. It is possible that it has existed in this area for 12,000 years. Most current specimens are concentrated in India, although there is no consensus on the number of individuals.

This tiger subspecies has a life expectancy of between 6 and 10 years. Its usual color is the typical orange coat, but some specimens have a white coat crossed by black stripes. The Bengal tiger is among the endangered types of tiger.

Since we are talking about types of tigers, take the opportunity to get to know these 14 types of lions and their phenomenal characteristics.

Extinct Tiger Species

There are currently three types of extinct tigers:

java tiger

O Panthera tigris ssp. probeic belongs to the extinct species of tigers. Was declared missing in mid 1970s, when some specimens still survived in the Java National Park. However, the species is considered extinct in the wild since 1940. The main causes of its disappearance were indiscriminate hunting and the destruction of its habitat.

Bali Tiger

The Bali Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. ball) has been declared extinct in 1940; therefore, this species of tiger does not currently exist in the wild or in captivity. He was a native of Bali, Indonesia. Among the causes of its extinction are indiscriminate hunting and the destruction of its habitat.

Caspian Tiger

Also called the Persian tiger, the Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. virgata) has been declared extinct in 1970, as there were no specimens in captivity to save the species. Before that, it was distributed in Turkey, Iran, China and Central Asia.

There are three main reasons for their disappearance: hunting, the reduction of prey on which they feed and the destruction of their habitat. These situations reduced the remaining populations in the 20th century.

In addition to the types of tigers, get to know the 11 most dangerous animals in the Amazon.

If you want to read more articles similar to types of tigers, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.