A tiger can adapt to different habitat conditions around Asia and eastern Russia.
The tiger is one of the largest cats in the world. The species is believed to be 2 million years old. A tiger is recognized by the black stripes all over its body, and each has its own distinct pattern. The tiger has food, water and shelter needs that define the ecological areas tigers inhabit in the wild.
Types of Habitat
Six subspecies of tiger remain. The South China tiger lives in a habitat of sub-tropical evergreen forest. The Siberian tiger prefers woodlands with coniferous, scrub oak and birch trees. The Sumatran tiger can be found in lowland forests, freshwater swamps and peat swamps. The Bengal tiger lives in dry and wet habitat, including forests, grassland and temperate forest. The Malayan tiger prefers tropical and subtropical moist forests. The Indochinese tiger prefers a mountainous habitat, particularly in remotes forests.
Geography
Tiger habitats are limited to Asia and the east of Russia. The animal used to be found in almost all of Asia. However, habitat areas are decreasing in number and becoming more fragmented. Tiger habitats are found primarily in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, eastern Russia and Vietnam. Other areas include Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Cambodia. Very few tigers inhabit North Korea.
Habitat Features
Each species of tiger may live in different areas of Asia, but they all need the same habitat conditions. The habitat needs to have covering so a tiger can blend in. Tigers often depend on camouflage to catch prey. There needs to be an adequate supply of prey. Finally, ideal habitat conditions require a fresh supply of water. This often takes the form of rivers and wetlands. Water is important to keep a tiger cool in hot temperatures, as a drinking source and for water-dwelling prey.
Population of Habitat
Tigers are solitary animals and are territorial about their living space. When a tiger's habitat is destroyed by human activity, it will struggle to find an adequate supply of prey and will migrate to wider areas from its usual habitat. Males are more likely to venture further from their home than females. This migration means tigers have to adapt to a change in habitat conditions.
Threat
All six subspecies of tiger are either endangered or critically endangered. One of the reasons for this is human destruction of a tiger's habitat. Tigers have lost 93% of their habitat, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Although tigers can adapt to a new environment, their territorial nature makes it hard for them to find a home. Tigers will kill each other to stake their claim on a new area.
Tags: habitat conditions, tiger prefers, adequate supply, adequate supply prey, eastern Russia, lives habitat