The Bengal tiger, or Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis), is a subspecies of tiger primarily found in Bangladesh, India, and also Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and southern Tibet. It has traditionally been considered the second largest subspecies after the Siberian tiger, but Northern Bengal Tigers are often larger than Siberian tigers.
So far the heaviest Bengal tigers captured in Nepal for research have been heavier than recently captured Siberian tigers. It is the most common tiger subspecies, living in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, subtropical and tropical rainforests, scrub forests, wet and dry deciduous forests, and mangroves. The Bengal subspecies P. tigris tigris is the national animal of Bangladesh, while at the species level the Tiger Panthera tigris is the national animal of India
The Bengal (Indian) tiger Panthera tigris tigris, distributed throughout the humid forests and grasslands of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India and Nepal. Estimates of population size vary from about 3,000 to 5,000 Bengal tigers in the wild today. The Bengal tiger is India's national emblem and was declared so prior to 2500 B.C.
FACTS
Zoological information:Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus species: Panthera (panther, leopard) tigris (tiger)
Size: The size of a male tiger can range upto 3 m (10 ft.), female to 2.7 m (9 ft.)
Weight: The weight of a male can be upto 225 kg (500 lb.), female to 135 kg (300 lb.); largest existing member of the cat family
Description: The Bengal tiger has a magnificent appearance. The coat colour of this wildcat is reddish orange with narrow black, gray or brown stripes, generally in a vertical direction. The underside is creamy or white; a rare variant has a chalky white coat with darker stripes and icy blue eyes that will freeze you with fear!
Life span: On an average Bengal tigers survive probably not more than 15 years in the wild; 16 to 18 years in captivation environments
Sexual maturity: Females achieve sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years whereas males achieve the same at the age of 4 to 5 years.
Gestation: 98 to 110 days; 2 to 4 cubs born
Habitat: Bengal tigers dwell in tropical jungles, brush, marsh lands, and tall grasslands in fragmented areas of Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Burma.
Diet: Bengal tigers hunt medium to large prey such as pigs, deer, antelopes, and buffalo
Status: It is listed by USFWS as endangered and protected by CITES