kingdom: animalia
phylum:chordata
class:mammalia
order: carnivora
family:felidae
genus: panthera
Species: tigris
sub-species: tigris

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Distribution & Habitat
Tigers are found all over Asia. Its habitat varies from the tropical rainforests to snow-covered mountains to swamps. They need to be near water constantly, to bathe in during the heat, and are the only cat, besides the South American Jaguar, to enjoy the love of water. The Siberian is a native to the cold, snow-covered coniferous and deciduous mountains of northern Asia, which is thought to be the original habitat of the tiger. The Bengal is also known as the Indian tiger, and once ranged much of the sub-continent. It inhabits the areas of Bangladesh, Nepal, and India, in its forests and swamps. One swamp in particular, known as the Sunderbans, located in India, is home to many of the fiercest tigers. Sumatrans live on the tropical islands of Indonesia, in Sumatra, its coat a perfect camouflage in the rainforests.

The South China tiger lives within the region of southern and eastern China, its habitat consisting of forests and rocky mountains, and many even lived in caves along the coast near the island of Amoy, which is where its name Amoyensis originated. Now it is found within a few scattered places in the wild and some in captivity. The IndoChinese tiger ranges throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, and as far down as Malaysia, and has the second largest population of the tiger family.

Hunting & Prey
Tigers are solitary hunters. They love the water, and are not afraid to chase their prey into its depths. They usually get their food here too, by laying in wait in the tall grass for an animal to come by the waterhole, then they scare them into the water where they will lose the advantage, therefore being easier for the tiger to catch its prey. Tigers usually make a kill every three days, and if they don't eat within ten days chances are they will be too weak to hunt, and they will die. Although the killing method used by the tiger largely depends on many factors: timing, type of prey, and also the experience, if it is a young tiger. A large animal, such as a buffalo or elephant, is usually disabled first toppling over, before the fatal attack to the throat. The tiger will prey on these larger animals if need be, but if given the choice, will go for something smaller, maybe even a young buffalo. this is usually the easier method when singling out a herd animal, as the tiger will wait for a young calf to stray from the protectiveness of his mother, and then it will attack and run, wounding or killing the calf, and waiting until the herd moves on before retrieving its kill. It is a tricky situation, as many tigers have been killed by herds, undertaking this form of attack.

Tigers favourite prey is the sambar, a large deer that also inhabits the forests in India and Nepal. They have to be careful when killing a male, as they can be pierced by the sharp antlers of the sambar's horns. They also eat chital, a spotted deer, and even domestic animals, causing problems amongst the farming community. Tigers also eat small Tigers rarely eat at the scene of the kill, but drags it away to a preferred spot. The great strength of its jaws is evident, using its mouth to drag even large animals great distances. One had even been seen to drag its kill about 1.5 kilometres! A small to medium sized kill is carried between the front legs with the tiger walking ahead, whereas with larger kills, the tiger drags the carcass backward. When eating, the tiger removes the hair and skin, then tears open the carcass to remove body parts, usually beginning with the kidneys and heart. It uses its claws to grip , although the abrasiveness of the tongue is useful in devouring every bit of flesh from the bones, with its teeth doing most of the work.
monkeys and jungle fowl.

Tigers are quiet eaters, and the during a meal there is only the sound of breaking bones. It will take over an hour to eat a meal, devouring anything from 40 to 90 pounds in one sitting. A large kill will last several meals, and in this case the tiger eats his fill, then covers the carcass and drinks or sleeps until his appetite returns. Tigers will only hunt when they are hungry.

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