The largest members of the cat family are tigers. Carl Linnaeus coined the scientific name of tigers in 1758 as Felis Tigris.
Tigers are highly endangered species, and there are constant conservation efforts all over the world. The most popular and common types of tigers are Siberian tigers and Bengal tigers.
Key Takeaways
- Siberian tigers are larger and heavier than Bengal tigers, with longer fur and a more robust build, while Bengal tigers are smaller and more agile.
- Siberian tigers are found in Russia and China, while Bengal tigers are in India, Bangladesh, and other parts of Southeast Asia.
- Siberian tigers are considered endangered, with a population of only a few hundred in the wild, while Bengal tigers have a population of around 2,500.
Siberian Tigers vs Bengal Tigers
Siberian tigers are large tigers that are found primarily in the forests of eastern Russia, China, and North Korea. They have a pale fur and wide spaced stripes. Bengal tigers are found in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. They have a orange-brown coat with narrow stripes. They are also smaller in size.
Siberian tigers are mainly found in areas like eastern Russia, Korea, and parts of China. Siberian tigers are bigger and heavier. Male Siberian tigers can weigh up to 300 kg. Siberian tigers can cover over 100 square kilometers in a single night hunt.
While Bengal tigers are mainly found in India, especially in Bengal, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bhutan, and parts of China.
The Bengal tigers are comparatively smaller than Siberian tigers. The maximum weight of a Bengal tiger can be up to 240 kg. Bengal tigers can cover up to 50 square kilometers in a single night hunt.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Siberian Tigers | Bengal Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Bigger and can weigh up to 675 pounds | Smaller and can weigh up to 525 pounds |
| Type of fur or coat | Thicker and heavier and stores fat underneath | Thinner and lighter |
| Suitable climate | Colder areas, especially in coniferous and birch forests where the temperature is as low as -45°C | The tropical and wet regions, especially in mangrove and deciduous forests and grasslands |
| Area of habitat | Eastern Russia, Korea, and parts of China | India, especially in Bengal, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bhutan, and in parts of China |
| Other names | Machurian tiger, Ussurian tiger, and even Korean tigers | Royal Bengal tiger, Indian tiger |
What are Siberian Tigers?
The siberian tiger belongs to the population of Panthera tigris altaica. Siberian tiger is native to Russian Far East, North Korea, and Northeast China.
The subfamily of Siberian tigers is Patherinae. Siberian tigers have a genetic closeness to Caspian tigers, which have become extinct.
Siberian tigers are also known by names like ‘Machurian tiger,’ ‘Ussurian tiger,’ and even ‘Korean tigers.
Reports on the genetic makeup of Siberian tigers show that the single mtDNA haplotype dominates the maternal lineage of wild Siberian tigers.
And also shows that the species may have experienced a recent genetic bottleneck due to human pressure. The color of the Siberian tiger is reddish-rusty or even rusty-yellow.
The length of the body is about 150 cm, and the length of the skull is about 250 mm. The weight of the male Siberian tigers is around 180 – 306 kg, and that of the female Siberian tigers is around 100 – 167 kg.
The skull is larger than most of the other tigers. The canine region of the tigers is large and prominent. But the female skull is smaller.
The color of fur of the tiger is pale, sparse, thick, and coarse. The coat of the Siberian tigers, which are found in the Western part, is brighter than others.
There is a difference in the summer and winter coats of the Siberian tigers. The summer coat is coarse, whereas the winter coat is softer, denser, longer, and silkier.
The prey of Siberian tigers is deer, bears, moose, boar, and even small animals like pikas, hares, rabbits, and salmon.
What are Bengal Tigers?
Bengal tigers belong to the species of Panthera tigris Tigris. It is a native species of the Indian subcontinent.
The Bengal tiger is also called the Royal Bengal tiger. Bengal tigers are considered the biggest wild cats alive today.
The species belong to the charismatic megafauna of the world. The color of the coat of the Bengal tiger is yellow to light orange, and the stripes on the body are dark brown to black.
The interior region of the tiger is white and lighter in the shade. Some Bengal tigers are also White tigers which is not an example of Albinism.
The body length of the Bengal tiger is around 270-310 cm in males, while the females are between 240-265 cm. The tail of the Bengal tiger is long and is around 85 to 110 cm.
The weight of the Bengal tiger can be around 175-260 kg for males while the female can weigh around 100-160 kg.
The smallest Bengal tiger was 75-80 kg which was found in Sundarbans and Bangladesh. The Bengal tigers are endangered species and are conserved by Tiger Conservation Units (TCUs).
The prey of the Bengal tigers is ungulates like gaur, sambar, and chital, and also water buffalo, takin, barasingha, serow, nilgai, wild boar, grey langur, Indian muntjac, and hog deer.
Small species like hares, porcupines, and peafowl are also hunted. The most common preys of Bengal tigers are leopards, wolves, jackal, crocodiles, foxes, and bears.
Main Differences Between Siberian Tigers and Bengal Tigers
- The length of the Siberian tiger is around 10 to 12 feet, while the length of the Bengal tiger is around 8 to 10 feet.
- The weight of the Siberian tiger is around 675 pounds, while the weight of the Bengal tiger is around 525 pounds.
- The coat of the Siberian tiger is pale, thick, and golden or rusty red, while the coat of the Bengal tiger is thin and light yellow with dark brown or black stripes.
- The prey of Siberian tigers is deer, elk, bears, rabbits, and hares, while the prey of Bengal tigers are pigs, gaur, Buffalo, sambar, and other ungulates.
- The territory occupied by Siberian tigers is larger, while the territory occupied by Bengal tigers is smaller.
- https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-abstract/91/3/737/847109
- https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-abstract/84/1/288/2373422
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The article provides detailed descriptions of the genetic makeup, physical features, and behavior of both Siberian and Bengal tigers, making it an enlightening read.
The comprehensive descriptions of the habitat, genetic lineage, and appearance of Siberian tigers are very well-presented. It helps in understanding the distinct traits of this tiger species.
This article provides an in-depth comparison between two of the largest cat species, Siberian tigers, and Bengal tigers. The data on their physical characteristics, habitat, and behavior is very informative.
I appreciate the detailed information on the prey of Bengal tigers and the specific characteristics of their coat and body. It enhances the understanding of the species’ ecology and survival factors.
The detailed account of Bengal tiger’s size, coat color, and geographical range adds valuable information to the comparison with Siberian tigers. It’s an educational piece.
The comparison table clearly outlines the distinguishable features of Siberian tigers and Bengal tigers, making it easier to understand the fundamental differences between the two.
The unique characteristics of both Siberian and Bengal tigers are clearly depicted, offering a rich comparison of their size, habitat, and genetic closeness. A highly informative article overall.
The range of Bengal tigers is described thoroughly, including the areas in India, Bangladesh, and parts of Southeast Asia where they are found. The information is comprehensive and well-detailed.