The Bengal, Sumatran, and Siberian tigers are all subspecies of Panthera tigris, the scientific name for the tiger. They are all native to Asia and are among the largest cats in the world.
Bengal Tiger
Bengal tigers, also known as the Indian tiger, are a subspecies of Panthera tigris that are native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. They are the largest of the Indian subspecies and are known for their distinctive orange coat with black stripes.
In terms of size, adult male Bengal tigers can weigh up to 660 pounds (300 kg) and measure up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length from head to tail. Adult females are typically smaller, weighing up to 350 pounds (160 kg) and measuring up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length.
Royal Bengal Tigers are apex predators and primarily prey on large mammals such as deer, wild pigs, and buffalo. They are also known to prey on smaller mammals like monkeys and hares, as well as fish and birds.
Bengal tigers are found primarily in forest and grassland habitats, including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deciduous forests, and mangrove swamps. These tigers are also found in protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as in some parts of Bangladesh and Bhutan.
It’s important to note that Bengal tigers are critically endangered, with fewer than 3,500 individuals remaining in the wild. The main threats to Bengal tiger populations include habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Bengal Tiger Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and anti-poaching patrols, are in place to help protect and increase Bengal tiger populations.
Read our blog post on the best places to see tigers in India.
Sumatran Tiger
Sumatran tigers are a subspecies of Panthera tigris that are native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. They are the smallest of all tiger subspecies, and have a distinctive reddish-orange coat with narrower stripes than other tiger subspecies.
In terms of size, adult male Sumatran tigers can weigh up to 440 pounds (200 kg) and measure up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) in length from head to tail. Adult females are typically smaller, weighing up to 220 pounds (100 kg) and measuring up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length.
Sumatran tigers are the top predators, and most of the time they eat big animals like deer, wild pigs, and buffalo. They have also been known to eat fish and birds, as well as smaller animals like monkeys and hares.
Sumatran tigers live mostly in lowland, submontane, and montane forests in tropical rainforests. They can also be found in places like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are set aside to protect wildlife.
It’s important to note that Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, with fewer than 400 individuals remaining in the wild. The main threats to Sumatran tiger populations include habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and anti-poaching patrols, are in place to help protect and increase Sumatran tiger populations.
The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, is found in the Russian Far East and north-eastern China. It is the largest subspecies of tiger, and has thick fur to help it survive the cold temperatures of its native habitat.
Siberian Tiger
Siberian tigers, also known as the Amur tiger, are a subspecies of Panthera tigris that are native to the Russian Far East and north-eastern China. They are the largest of all tiger subspecies, known for their thick fur which helps them survive the cold temperatures of their native habitat.
In terms of size, adult male Siberian tigers can weigh up to 660 pounds (300 kg) and measure up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length from head to tail. Adult females are typically smaller, weighing up to 440 pounds (200 kg) and measuring up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length.
Siberian tigers are apex predators that hunt largely on big animals like deer, wild pigs, and bears. They have also been observed preying on smaller animals like as hares, as well as fish and birds.
Siberian tigers prefer temperate forest and mountain environments, such as coniferous, mixed, and broadleaved woods, as well as alpine and subalpine meadows. They can also be found in protected places like national parks and wildlife reserves.
It’s important to note that Siberian tigers are critically endangered, with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. The main threats to Siberian tiger populations include habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and anti-poaching patrols, are in place to help protect and increase Siberian tiger populations.
Tabular comparison between Bengal Tiger vs Sumatran Tiger vs Siberian Tiger
| Feature | Bengal Tiger | Sumatran Tiger | Siberian Tiger |
| Range | India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh | Sumatra, Indonesia | Russia, North-eastern China |
| Size | Largest of the Indian subspecies | Smallest of all tiger subspecies | Largest of all tiger subspecies |
| Coat color and pattern | Orange with black stripes | Reddish orange with narrower stripes | Orange with black stripes |
| Habitat | Forest and grassland | Tropical rainforest | Temperate forests and mountains |
| Population | Less than 2,500 in the wild | Less than 400 in the wild | Less than 500 in the wild |
| IUCN Red List status | Endangered | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
Similarities between Bengal Tiger, Sumatran Tiger & Siberian Tiger
There are several similarities between the Bengal, Sumatran, and Siberian tiger subspecies:
- All three are subspecies of Panthera tigris, the scientific name for the tiger, and are native to Asia.
- They are all apex predators and have a diet that primarily consists of large mammals such as deer, wild pigs, and buffalo, as well as smaller mammals, fish, and birds.
- All three are critically endangered, with fewer than 4,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The main threats to their populations include habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
- All three subspecies have a similar coat color and pattern, with orange fur and black stripes.
- All three subspecies are found in protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in their respective countries.
- All three subspecies are protected by the law and conservation efforts are in place to help protect and increase their populations.
- They are all facing similar challenges, such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
- They are all iconic animals, representing the country and culture where they are found, and have a significant cultural and ecological value.
