Animal Unique | Sumatran Tiger | Sumatran tiger is a rare subspecies of tiger that inhabits the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It was classified as critically endangered by IUCN in 2008. The Sumatran tiger is only available on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in habitat that ranges from lowland forest to sub mountain and mountain forest including some peat moss forests. Sumatra has undergone significant growth in agriculture, and as a result, Sumatran tiger habitat has been fragmented with about 400 tigers inhabiting five national parks and two game reserves. The largest populations live in the Kerinci Seblat National Park and Gunung Leuser National Park. Another 100 live in unprotected areas in danger of being lost to agriculture from 2012. The tigers live in unprotected areas are very susceptible to poaching and killing of problem animals that come into contact with residents compromising the animals' habitat.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: P. tigris
Subspecies: P. t. sumatrae
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: P. tigris
Subspecies: P. t. sumatrae
Sumatran tiger is described as darker coat color and as with thicker lines than the Javan tiger. Stripes tend to fall apart near places their ends, and the lines of small dark spots between regular stripes can be found on the back, flanks and hind legs. The frequency of lines is higher than in other subspecies. Sumatran tiger is one of the smallest subspecies of tiger. The males have a beard and mane appearance, neck and cheek hair are well developed. The smaller size of the Sumatran tiger makes it easier to scan through the jungle.
Patterned colors of Sumatran tiger is an adaptation for camouflage in their natural environment, often tall grass. Webbing between their toes, when spread, the Sumatran tiger and very fast swimmer. They will, if given the chance, run hoofed prey into the water much slower swimmers. The white spots on the back of the tiger's ears are "eye spots" or "predator spots". These places are supposed to function and false eyes look bigger to make a predator from behind. This is especially useful in accordance boy safe. Sumatran tigers often hunt larger ungulates such as wild pig, Malayan tapir, and deer, and sometimes also smaller animals such as birds, monkeys and fish. Orangutans could be prey, but because they spend minimal time on the ground, tigers rarely catch.
The extent of the reach of a tiger depends on the availability of habitat and prey. His vision and hearing are very acute, good for the tiger that such an efficient predator. Sumatran tiger lives alone for the most part, and there is only occasional cooperation between different individuals. A male will not allow other males remain in his territory, but will allow other males passing through his area. The hunting method is slow and patient, stalking through the often dense cover until close enough to the spring. Sumatran tigers in general tend to fall prey to the side or rear of the nearby and as prey for more than half of the tiger weighs a throat bite is used and the death caused by suffocation. Sumatran tiger can often be found in a pool or stream, or standing in water to cool. Male and female tigers mark their range by spraying scent on trees or bushes.
Tigers can breed at any time of the year, but they usually mate in winter or spring. Tigers seem to reach maturity at about 4 years, but earlier maturity recorded. Is usually 103 days gestation. The usual number of cubs is two or three, but there may be no less than six. The cubs are blind and helpless at birth, weighing about 3 pounds each. Their eyes usually open by the tenth day, though some zoo born cubs have their eyes open when they are born. During the first 8 weeks, the cubs consume only their mother's milk. Female nursed 5 or 6 months. The young leave the den for the first time when they are 2 months old. They are completely dependent until about 6 months old when they learn how to kill. They may find themselves by the time they are about 18 months old and are fully independent at two years. Sustainability in the wild is 15 years and 20 years in captivity.
Habitat for the Sumatran tiger is drastically reduced by logging, clearing for agriculture and plantations, and Settlement. Indonesian forestry officials acknowledge that in many parts of the island, illegal logging and forest conversion are out of control. Habitat destruction not only reduces the tiger numbers, but also prey. As a result, tigers move into settled areas in search of food, where they are more likely to come into conflict with people. Indeed, human-tiger conflict is a serious problem in Sumatra compared with other parts of the global reach of the tiger. People are slain or wounded, and livestock fall prey to tigers. Retaliatory Action by the villagers can lead to killing the tiger. Although the number of tigers slain incidentally or as a result of human-tiger conflict are significant, most tigers in Sumatra apparently deliberately slain for commercial gain.
Animal Unique