Tiger Trivia

The tiger is called Panthera Tigris.

It is one of many endangered species in the wild. It is estimated that in the wild in 2008 there are between 3600 to 4600 tigers left worldwide.

There are 8 sub-species of tiger, three of which are now extinct.

The different types of tiger left in the wild are:

  Amur ( Siberian ) - the largest of the tigers

  Indian ( Bengal )

  Indo-Chinese

  South China

  Sumatran - the smallest of the tigers

The sub-species that are extinct are the Bali, Caspian and Javan tigers.

There are only 4 cats that can roar; these are the lion, the leopard, the jaguar and the tiger. A tigers roar can be heard 2 km away.

A group of tigers is called a ‘streak’.

A tigers stripes helps it to be camouflaged when it is hunting in long grass. Each tigers markings are unique, just like our fingerprints. This is how we identify each tiger.

 Tiger Kingdom

Here at Tiger Kingdom we have a mixture of tigers from all over the world. Most are Indo-China tigers but we also have tigers bred from Bengal and Sumatran parents.

The Indo-China tiger is native to Thailand but they are also found in southern China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The adult males can weigh up to 230 kgs and the females up to 200 kgs. 

Tigers are solitary animals, leaving their mother when they are between 18 months and 2 years old. They stay as a family unit with their mother and siblings.

In the wild they hunt wild pigs, deer and cattle. They would hunt at night and spend most of the day sleeping. They can sleep for up to 18 hours per day.

Tigers are still hunted in the wild. There is a demand for their body parts which means poachers still make money from them. The trade in endangered species is estimated to be worth $6 billion per year. With continued poaching and the loss of their natural habitat  the wild tiger is critically endangered.

Zoos and parks such as Tiger Kingdom are an essential part of the conservation of the tiger. Here we ensure the continuation of the species as well as providing a broad genetic base for future generations of tiger. Tiger Kingdom wants you to leave here with a greater understanding of the tiger and with its place as one of the worlds ‘big cats’.

FAQ

What do I have to do when I am with the tigers?

Please ensure that the flash is turned off on your camera. The flash can alarm the tigers.

DO NOT touch the face or head of any of the tigers. You can touch their bodies, they especially like their tummies rubbed.

DO NOT touch the front paws of any of the tigers.  

Approach the tigers from behind, that way they do not think you want to play.

Do not run around or make sudden movements.

Please ensure children follow the instructions of staff.

Why are the tigers so tame?

The tigers are all hand reared here at Tiger Kingdom. They are used to people and see us as one of their family. In the wild the tigers spend most of the day sleeping, they do the same here. That is why they are so relaxed when you go and see them. None of the tigers at Tiger Kingdom are drugged.

What do the tigers eat?

The new born tigers are fed bottled milk and are then introduced to meat when they are about 2 months old. They will then continue to have milk to supplement the meat.

The older tigers all eat meat, they are fed chicken twice daily.

How long do tigers live?

In the wild tigers can live to 15 years old. In captivity they can live to 20 years old.

What happens to the adult tigers when they leave Tiger Kingdom?

Tiger Kingdom is a partner of Ubon Zoo and the animals that are bred here go there or to other zoos.

What about the babies?

A female tiger is pregnant for approximately 103 days.

The mother can have a litter of between 3 to 6 cubs, and when the cubs are born they weigh 1 kg and are born blind.

Do the tigers bite?

The tigers at Tiger Kingdom are hand reared and are very well trained. But they are still wild animals and so need to be respected. The tigers are often playful and may want to play with you. They do play rough though and so could bite when they are playing.

Is it dangerous?

The tigers do not want to hunt you or to hurt you. The staff are very well trained and are there to help you as well as to look after the tigers. Their main job is to ensure your safety.

Are the tigers well looked after?

Here at Tiger Kingdom the welfare of the tigers is our primary concern. We look after their physical health as well as ensuring that they are mentally stimulated.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask any of the staff.

Thank you.

Dave & Suzi (Tiger Kingdom’s volunteers)