Our Current Featured Species is…
…Tigers!
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Panthera
Panthera is one of the leading conservation organizations supporting tigers in the wild. Through their Tigers Forever Program, they merged with Save the Tiger Fund to allocate research, experience, and action to combat tiger population decline (link opens in a new tab). Keep scrolling to learn more about this awesome species!
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Visit the Shop!
Click below to visit my shop on Fine Art America to see the current featured species — all photographer’s markup proceeds purchased from the tiger gallery will be donated to the listed conservation organization working to protect this species in the wild. Thank you for your consideration, and if you make a purchase, thank you for your part in wildlife conservation!
Tiger
Panthera tigris
Amur (Siberian) Tiger
Bengal Tiger
Caspian Tiger
Indochinese Tiger
Malayan Tiger
South China Tiger
Continental Tigers:
Sunda Island Tiger:
Bali Tiger
Javan Tiger
Sumatran Tiger
What Threats Do Tigers Face in the Wild?
There are four main factors affecting the conservation status of tigers: habitat loss, poaching, the human-wildlife conflict, and ecological changes caused by climate change.
Like most species who tend to suffer from the human-wildlife conflict, tigers are quickly losing the jungles they live in, and with it, the prey they need to survive. In turn, they potentially prey on livestock and suffer retaliatory killings as a consequence. And as climate changes continues to cause rising sea levels, the coastal mangrove areas they call home are falling victim to the encroaching waters. Poaching of body parts for traditional medicine, as well as illegal hunting or poaching and capture for illegal breeding also continue to plague this species. The good news? After suffering over a century with declining wild populations, research indicates that tiger species numbers are slowly on the uptick thanks to a heavy conservation dedicated effort!
Tigers, and specifically Amur tigers, are the largest species of big cat in the world. Males can weigh anywhere from 450 to over 600 pounds and be nearly twelve feet long, with 4-inch claws and 3-inch canine teeth. Though they have typical lifespan in the wild of 15 years, they can live to be in their mid-twenties in captivity. In the wild, cub survival rate within the first two years of life is roughly 50%.
The large paws of the Amur tiger acts as snowshoes during the winter, and their fur grows longer to protect them from the high altitudes and cold, harsh climates of the Russian far east.
Like jaguars, tigers enjoy the water! They are strong swimmers and often use the water for hunting, cooling off, and escaping from flies. Tigers have been documented in the wild swimming up to seven miles a day, crossing water systems to track down prey.
A tiger’s stripes are as unique as a human fingerprint — no two tigers have the same pattern. Their stripes help them stay hidden in the tall jungle grasses, and the coloring makes them difficult to see to their prey who can’t readily distinguish their vibrant orange coats from the brush.
Tigers have a wide range of vocalizations that do not include purring. Males and females both will roar to signal danger and stake a claim for their territory. But they also make a noise called “chuffing,” which mimics a breathy snort and is meant as a friendly greeting or an indicator of happiness. Mothers will also use grunts and bellows when communicating with their cubs.
