The Malayan Tiger

The Malayan tiger is a tiger subspecies, that has been recently classified as critically endangered as the entire population is estimated to be around 340, with less than 250 mature (breeding) adults.

Being a subspecies, the Malayan tiger does not vary significantly from the Indochinese tiger, but it does appear to be smaller. Males usually reach an average length of 259cm and weigh around 120 kilograms, and females slightly less, up to 239cm and 100kilograms.

The Malayan tiger inhabits most of the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula.  They are usually found around the river locations and some regions of agricultural land that may have been abandoned in the past as they do not usually live close to humans. However, due to the smaller habitat they are forced to live in now, the need for food has resulted in livestock consumerism which has created human-wildlife conflict. In effort to preserve their livestock, farmers may even set traps and snares which can kill the tiger if it comes too close.

The Malayan tiger usually lives for 15-20 years. Tigers are solitary creatures therefore it is not likely to find them hunting or living in packs. Their cubs will stay with their mother for 12-18 months in order to acquire necessary skills for hunting so they can leave their mother and live independently. Until then, they follow their mother around and observe her during hunting. They take up to 70% of the mother’s time when they are born.

This short video shows the amount of care and time the female tiger invests into her cubs before they are ready to leave and become independent.

 

 

 

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