Royal Bengal Tiger

Also known as the Indian tiger, the Royal Bengal tiger ('Panthera tigris') is holds a very important place for itself in Indian wildlife. Initially, this species originated in Siberia and then from there, they migrated down south as the climate became colder. In Asia, India and Malaysia are the two prominent countries where tigers live. The Indian tigers or the Royal Bengal tigers are the most graceful animals found in Sundarban in Bengal. This is the most numerous subspecies, though 'numerous' equals only 3,000 -- 5,000 animals, of which approximately 34% are within the boundaries of animal reserves.

The Physical Attributes of Royal Bengal Tiger :
They are dynamic creatures with adult males weighing up to 420 pounds. Their coat color is variable, ranging from light yellow to reddish yellow, or even white. The tiger's stripes can be brown or black.

Habitat & Diet of Royal Bengal Tiger :
There is no fixed destination of tiger, as they live in open jungles, humid evergreen forests and mango grove swamps. They love tranquil atmosphere and are easily perturbed by any disturbance. Its diet consists mainly of deer, antelopes, gaurs and wild pigs. Sometimes it also captures birds, lizards, turtles, fishes, frogs and crabs. Tigers hunt on their own and usually lead a solitary existence, each in its own territory. They are endowed with good swimming power but seldom climb trees.

Distribution of Bengal Tiger :
Of the eight subspecies of tigers five still survive and the most famous of all the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) lives in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Western Myanmar and Nepal.

Endangered Species :
Royal Bengal Tiger is an endangered species of Cat family. They have been killed heavily by man for sport, skins, and as a source of traditional medical products. Superstition has surrounded tigers for centuries; necklets of claws are thought to protect a child from "the evil eye", whiskers have been considered either a dreadful poison (Malaysia), a powerful aphrodisiac (Indonesia), or an aid to childbirth (India and Pakistan) and the bones, fat, liver and penis are prized as aphrodisiacs or medicines. Due to all above reasons, the population of Bengal tiger had reduced considerably. Significantly, adequate steps were taken up by the Government to form Project Tiger Scheme in 1973 that included many wild life national park and sanctuary in it to protect the Tiger.