From Prehistoric Prowlers to Regal Rulers
Unfolding the Evolution of Tigers
The word tiger imbibes a picture of regal pride and passionate protection along with inspiring some ferocity within us. This awe-aspiring cat has survived the expanse of eras. Our team has worked on the details of this magnificent big cat and assembled an adventure through the depths of time.
Scientifically tigers are classified as:
- Kingdom: Animalia.
- Phylum: Chordata.
- Class: Mammalia.
- Order: Carnivora.
- Family: Felidae.
- Subfamily: Pantherinae.
- Genus: Panthera
- Species: Tigris
Table of Contents
Important Facts about Tiger Classification:
- Scientifically in the hierarchy, tigers are felines belonging to the Felidae family.
- Their scientific name is Panthera tigris which describes their genus and species as Panthera and Tigris respectively.
- Pantherinae subfamily and genus Panthera is a lineage that emerged approximately 2 million years ago. This genus comprises the biggest members of the Feline cat family.
- The roaring ability is what differentiates the pantherine cats from the rest of the cats, and it is the habitat of all the powerful beasts, the Lion (Panthera leo), Tiger (Panthera tigris), Jaguar (Panthera onca), and Leopard (Panthera pardus).
It was believed that the animals of the genus Panthera possess a hanging hyoid bone in the neck that enables them to make a low-frequency boisterous roar.
However, recent studies have changed this notion; thus, it is now assumed that the hyoid bone is not the only thing that allows pantherine cats to roar. Vocal cord structure and supportive ligaments of these large cats are pretty unique and allow them to produce roars.
The Tiger as an Apex Predator: Its Hunting Abilities
Tigers are naturally blessed with specialised structures and heightened senses that distinguish them from other carnivores and make them the apex predators.
A fully grown tiger weighs around 300 kg and can stretch over ten feet in length.
An adult male tiger possesses the ability to lift about 550 kg (twice their body weight).
Being more dexterous and quicker than a lion, a tiger can bring down its prey twice its size.
Tigers are killing machines, and their blinding dark eyes and silent approach guarantee that no prey remains unnoticed.
The striped body of a tiger is an effective way of camouflage in the wild, until the last moment.
Tigers have advanced senses. Their vision plays a vital role in making them the best at hunting. They have binocular vision similar to humans. Although their night vision is six times better than the night vision of humans.
Vision alone is not responsible for this predator’s unmatched hunting abilities. Furthermore, the keen sense of hearing frequency in the range of 100-200 kHz also plays a significant role.
In addition to the above, their powerful sense of smell makes sure that no prey escapes detection.
The tiger is an apex predator, with hunting abilities that no other predator comes close to. Altogether topping the food chain.
Predators along with finding food for themselves help in regulating the herbivore numbers in the ecosystem. Therefore playing a vital role in balancing the ecosystem.
Tigers are an adaptable species and are found in a variety of ecosystems. Ranging from the rainforests, and the grasslands, to the savannah and even the mangrove swamps.
Supporting the evolutionary success of this species is adaptability to their surroundings and modifying their mode of preying, whether it be in the Siberian snow forests or Indian tropical rain forests.
Interesting Facts and History
- All modern-day carnivores, like tigers, lions, cats, and even domestic canines, bears, and skunks, share a common ancestor whose lineage was lost to eons of time. Evidence of the oldest known carnivore to man was unearthed in the village of Dormaal, Belgium.
- Named after the area it was found in, Dormaalocyon latouri is considered one of the earliest ancestors of modern-day carnivores. Now extinct, the remains of this carnivore date as far back as fifty-five million years ago!
- Pseudaelurus, a primordial feline is assumed to be a direct ancestor of modern tigers. Its fossils date between twenty and eight million years ago. It acts as a crucial link in the evolutionary chain of modern Pantherine to ancient Miacids.
- Imagine tigers prowling about a million years ago. The earliest tiger fossils found in South Asia date two million years ago. But it is not just fossils that prove their existence, even the civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro dating back to 2500 BC to 1700 BC have imprints of tigers on their seals.
Tiger - Iconic Cat and its all 9 Subspecies
Sumatran Tiger
Amur (or Siberian) Tiger
Indian (or Bengal) tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)
Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni)
Indo-Chinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti)
Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) - EXTINCT
Bali tiger (Panthera tigris balica) - EXTINCT
Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) - EXTINCT
Understanding the geographical range of Tiger Habitats
Tigers have survived in varied geographies and still emerged as Apex Predators. Be it stalking prey in a steamy rainforest or brave the Siberian blizzards.
The tiger is a master of adaptation, it is a wonder how they do it, in jungles, frosty forests and pretty much any Asian habitat. Historically these striped wonders covered a vast territory, but, alas, their kingdom has been reduced.
As per the latest estimates there are approximately 5,574 tigers left in the wild globally!
However, number of tigers have increased remarkably over the years in India. Here are some key figures:
- 2006: 1,411 tigers
- 2010: 1,706 tigers
- 2014: 2,226 tigers
- 2018: 2,967 tigers
- 2022: 3,682 tigers
This increase in number is an evidence of relentless efforts at conservation of tigers in India, making it home to the largest population of wild tigers in the world.
It can be understood comprehensively by imagined as a puzzle, with pieces – India, Russia, and Southeast Asia – rather than one complete picture. This fragmentation has been due to human activity, such as clearing forests for urbanization and industrialization.
Moreover, tigers not only are apex predators, they are also very clever animals. It has been noted that these big cats alter their hunting behaviour and strategy to suit the habitat and conditions.
Let us understand this with an example. They are practically swimmers in mangrove swamps, and in Siberia, they have extra thick fur. It’s because tigers have evolved as per their ecosystems. They control populations of prey and so ensure a balance is kept. It is important to learn about saving tigers and their wild habitat
It is time we understand that coexistence as an ecosystem to protect it.