Siberia's Stripes of Death | Nat Geo Wild

Nat Geo Animals
10 Jun 201004:53

Summary

TLDRThe Siberian tiger, the largest cat on the planet, stretches nearly 10 feet long and weighs up to 700 lbs. With fewer than 500 tigers remaining in the wild, most inhabit Russia's Birch forests, braving harsh temperatures as low as -40°F. Adapted for survival, the Siberian tiger has large paws to prevent sinking in the snow, pale orange fur for winter camouflage, and longer fur than other tiger species. While it's not truly nocturnal, it possesses remarkable night vision, enhancing its hunting skills. Sadly, human activities, including logging and poaching, threaten their survival, with only one in ten hunts being successful.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The Siberian tiger is the largest cat on the planet, stretching nearly 10 feet long and weighing up to 700 lbs.
  • 😀 Less than 500 Siberian tigers remain in the wild, with approximately 400 living in Russia's Birch forests.
  • 😀 Siberian tigers are adapted to extreme cold, with temperatures dropping as low as -40°F in their habitat.
  • 😀 Large paws help the Siberian tiger avoid sinking in the snow, and its pale orange fur camouflages it in winter.
  • 😀 The tiger's white stomach and chest help it blend into the snowy environment and maintain warmth.
  • 😀 Siberian tigers have thicker fur compared to other tiger species, making them well-suited for cold climates.
  • 😀 Tigers use their coat adaptations to stalk prey silently, often attacking from the side or rear with powerful leaps.
  • 😀 Siberian tigers hunt both day and night, with specialized night vision thanks to a reflective layer in their eyes.
  • 😀 Their sharp canine teeth allow them to sever major arteries and crush windpipes, though only 1 in 10 attempts results in a kill.
  • 😀 Siberian tigers can eat over 60 lbs of flesh in one sitting after bringing down prey.
  • 😀 Human activities like logging and poaching are decimating the Siberian tiger population and destroying their natural habitats.

Q & A

  • What makes the Siberian tiger the largest cat on the planet?

    -The Siberian tiger stretches nearly 10 feet in length and can weigh up to 700 pounds, making it the largest cat on the planet.

  • How many Siberian tigers are left in the wild?

    -There are less than 500 Siberian tigers left in the wild.

  • Where are Siberian tigers found in the wild?

    -Siberian tigers are found primarily in Russia's Birch forests, with a smaller population spread throughout Eastern China and North Korea.

  • How does the Siberian tiger survive in cold climates?

    -The Siberian tiger has developed several adaptations to survive in cold climates, such as large paws that prevent it from sinking in the snow, thicker fur for insulation, and pale orange fur that helps it blend into the environment.

  • What role do the Siberian tiger's stripes play in its survival?

    -The Siberian tiger's stripes help camouflage it in its surroundings, aiding in stealth when stalking prey.

  • How does the Siberian tiger's fur change with the seasons?

    -In warmer months, the Siberian tiger's fur is orange, which helps it blend into the forest. In winter, its fur becomes paler, and its white stomach and chest help keep it out of sight while also providing warmth.

  • How does the Siberian tiger hunt?

    -The Siberian tiger hunts both day and night. It uses its strong hind legs to leap up to 20 feet onto its prey and relies on silent, stealthy movements to stalk from the side or rear.

  • What special adaptation helps the Siberian tiger see better at night?

    -The Siberian tiger has a special reflective layer in its eye called the tapetum lucidum, which increases incoming light and gives it night vision that is six times better than humans'.

  • What happens when a Siberian tiger catches its prey?

    -The Siberian tiger uses its powerful jaws and sharp canine teeth to sever major arteries or crush the windpipe of its prey. It can eat over 60 pounds of flesh in one sitting after bringing down prey.

  • What are the primary threats to the Siberian tiger population?

    -The main threats to the Siberian tiger are habitat destruction due to logging and human settlement, as well as poaching, which is responsible for killing nearly 85% of the remaining tiger population.

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Related Tags
Siberian TigerWildlifeConservationAdaptationsPredatorsNature DocumentaryHunting SkillsTiger HabitatPoachingHuman ImpactEndangered Species