About Siberian Tigers
The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur, Manchurian,
Altaic, Korean or North China tiger, lives in far eastern
Russia, occupying a relatively small area in the south
of Siberia. Several reside in and around the Eastern
Manchurian mountain system, with the result that a very
small population of Siberian tigers (roughly 20) lives
As one of the largest subspecies of tiger, the Siberian
tiger tends to be about 44 to 47 inches tall and has
an average weight of 500 pounds. However, the heaviest
wild Siberian tiger on record weighed a whopping 847
pounds. Siberian tigers are rusty red or yellow in color,
each with the black stripes characteristic of the tiger
species. Relatively short legs support the Siberian
tiger's supple, muscular body.
As one might guess, Siberian tigers are predators.
Their preferred prey includes a variety of ungulates,
such as deer, gorals, and Manchurian elk. They may also
prey on smaller animals such as rabbits, pika, and fish
like salmon. Should the ungulate population be insufficient
to sustain a Siberian tiger, the tiger may resort to
preying on brown or black bears. However, this is a
relatively rare occurrence. When Siberian tigers do
attack bears, they typically attack brown bears near
their place of hibernation in the winter.
More interesting information about Siberian tigers
has been unveiled by recent research. Genetic research
in recent years has shown that the Siberian tiger and
the extinct Caspian tiger are in fact the same subspecies.
Perhaps more significantly, such research has also determined
that there is low genetic variability in the wild population
of Siberian tigers. This discovery suggests a recent,
abrupt genetic bottleneck in the population, indicating
the negative effects of human activity on the population.
The negative impact of humans on the Siberian tiger,
however, can be seen in their status as an endangered
subspecies; about 400 or fewer Siberian tigers were
found to live in the wild in a 2005 study, a figure
that has likely declined due to poaching, which was
particularly pervasive in the year following the study.
However, many have responded to this threat with various
conservation and repopulation efforts.
Siberian tigers have been greatly valued by a number
of cultures throughout history. For instance, the historic
Tungusic people hailed the Siberian tiger as something
akin to a deity, and the Manchu people regard it as
a king. This regard can be seen in the naming of the
Chinese Imperial Army under the Manchu Qing Dynasty
for the Siberian tiger; the name literally translates
to "The Tiger God Batallion." Additionally, nearly all
parts of the Siberian tiger are highly valued in Chinese
medicine for their alleged curative powers.
About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals
http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife
and animal website.