Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a rare tiger subspecies that inhabits the
Indonesian island of Sumatra. The remaining population in its natural habitat is estimated to be
only 300 to 400 animals.

The Sumatran tiger has been described as darker in fur colour and as having thicker
stripes than the Javan tiger. Stripes tend to disintegrate into spots near their ends, and lines of
small dark specks between regular stripes may be found on the back, flanks and hind legs. The
frequency of stripes is higher than in other subspecies.

The Sumatran tiger is one of the smallest tiger subspecies. Males weigh 100 to 140 kg
(220 to 310 lb) and measure 220 to 225 cm (87 to 89 in) in length between the pegs with a
greatest length of skull of 295 to 335 mm (11.6 to 13.2 in). Females weigh 75 to 110 kg (170 to
240 lb) and measure 215 to 230 cm (85 to 91 in) in length between the pegs with a greatest
length of skull of 263 to 294 mm (10.4 to 11.6 in).

Sumatran tigers feed on many different species of deer and wild pig. They emerge to
hunt at dusk, and may travel more than 20 miles in a night. Webbing between their toes enables
the Sumatran tiger to be very efficient and fast swimmer. If given the chance the tiger will run
hoofed prey into the water where the animal is at a much greater disadvantage because they
cannot swim well with their long thin legs. In zoos, the tiger is fed meat, fish and poultry parts.

For the most part, the tiger lives alone, except during breeding season. A male will not
usually tolerate other males staying in his territory unless they are just passing through. The
territory of a single male can overlap those of several females.

Tigers can breed at any time of the year, but they usually mate in winter or spring. Tigers
reach maturity at about 4 years of age. Length of pregnancy is normally 103 days. The mother
will usually have 2 - 3 cubs per litter. At birth, the cubs are helpless and blind, weighing only
about 3 pounds each. By the time they are 18 months old they can hunt for themselves and are
fully independent at 2 years.

The Sumatran tiger is classified as critically endangered. Based on the survey through a
questionnaire conducted by Borner in 1978, the tiger population was about 1000. In 1985
Santiapillai and Ramono recorded at least 800 Sumatran tigers spread across 26 protected areas.
In 1992, Tilson et. Al. estimated there were 400 - 500 Sumatran tigers that live in 5 National
Parks and 2 protected areas. And in 2010, the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia noted that there
were only about 300 Sumatran tiger’s population left. The decrease of their habitat and hunting
activity by humans are the causes of endangered status of this species.