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| Siberian Tiger, Phanthera tigris, Siberia
to Java and Bali
The largest of the big cats, the tiger has a massive, muscular body and powerful limbs. Males and females look similar, but males have longer, more prominent, cheek whiskers. Colorartion varies from reddish orange to reddish ocher, and the pattern of the tiger's distinctive dark, vertical stripes is extremely variable between individuals. Tigers of the northern subspecies tend to be larger and paler than tropical subspecies. They climb well, move gracefully on land, and are capable of galloping at high speeds when chasing prey. Wild pigs, deer, and cattle, such as gaur and buffalo are the tiger's main prey. Most races of this magnificient animal are now rare and the Bali and Java tigers are extinct. |
