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The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a member of
the Felidae family; the largest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera.
Native to much of eastern and southern Asia, the tiger is an apex predator
and an obligate carnivore. Reaching up to 4 metres (13 ft) in total
length and weighing up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds), the larger tiger
subspecies are comparable in size to the biggest extinct felids.
Aside from their great bulk and power, their most recognizable feature
is the pattern of dark vertical stripes that overlays near-white to reddish-orange
fur, with lighter underparts. The largest subspecies of tiger is
the Siberian tiger. |
