Happy International Tiger Day! The Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest living species of all the feline species. It can reach lengths of 10 feet (3.05 meters) long. There is only ONE species of living tiger, but a few different subspecies are recognized. The White Tiger is not a subspecies of the tiger, but is just a genetic variation.
Sadly, the tigers haven’t been doing well in the wild. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as Endangered. They have been wiped out of an estimated 93% of their historic range. Luckily, many conservation organizations are working to save them. Most of the work involves protecting and restoring habitat for the tigers while keeping them safe from poachers. Some people believe that tiger parts can cure diseases even though there’s no evidence. We need to help insure there are tigers for the next International Tiger Day.
