Bengal tigers are endangered
Bengal tigers are an endangered species due to hunting and habitat loss. They are used by hunters as trophies, and also in traditional Chinese medicine.
Some scientists say that the Bengal tiger could be extinct in the next 10 years.
India's tiger population was estimated at 2,603–3,346 individuals by 2018.
There are many organisations that are dedicated to saving the Bengal tiger, including the World Wildlife Foundation.
Did you know?
- The Bengal tiger is the national animal of India and Bangladesh.
- The Bengal tiger has the largest canine teeth of any living cat.
- Bengal tigers can run up to 40 mph. That's fast!
- They are solitary hunters.
- They can swim almost 4 miles at a time.
- There were eight tiger subspecies at one time, but three have become extinct.
- The scientific name of the Bengal tiger is Panthera tigris tigris.
- You can hear a tiger's roar from 3 kilometres away.
- A Bengal tiger has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years in the wild.
- Fossil remains of tigers found in China are believed to be 2 million years old!
- Tiger cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old.
