White Tiger Facts
When it comes to the subject of tigers, many think of the most common orange cat with dark chocolate brown stripes. There are, however, two separate strains of tigers with luxurious white coats of fur banded with stripes. For those who are not familiar with the white tiger, facts about their history and present status may be helpful.
No one knows when the first white tiger made its appearance. It is known that the beautiful anomaly to the traditional orange striped large cat has occurred in two tiger subspecies for certain, with the probability of it also having happened in several others as well. The Bengal and the Siberian are the most common occurrences of white tiger; facts show multiple cubs born of each subspecies that have grown and reproduced in kind both in the wild and in captivity.
Here are some white tiger facts that may be surprising to some:
1) In order for a cub to be born white, it must inherit two recessing genes which cause the lack of coloration.
2) White tigers are not albinos, since they do possess colored stripes, pink noses and pink paw pads as well as blue, green or amber colored eyes.
3) White tigers are usually larger than their orange counterparts, both as cubs and adults.
4) White tigers are extremely accomplished swimmers, yet very poor climbers.
5) Slow runners, white tigers use ambush techniques and their powerful bulky bodies to bring down their prey.
6) The Chinese believe that anyone born in the year of the tiger to be extremely lucky.
7) White tigers can be found in the coldest areas of Siberia, or hot, steamy jungles of India.
8) White tigers are prized for their beautiful coats, body parts and entertainment value.
9) White Siberian tigers are the rarest of the tiger species.
10) Humans are the greatest threat to the white tigers.
There is a great deal of controversy over the subject of white tigers; facts show that many of today’s white tigers are products of inbreeding by zoos across the world to capitalize on the magnificent creature’s popularity. In the wild, white tigers are rare but are known to have existed. The last reported white tiger capture was in 1951 in India when a Maharaja received word that a tigress had been seen with three orange and one white cub. The white cub was captured and kept by the Maharaja for the rest of its natural life, forced to breed in attempts to produce more white cubs.
Hopefully, the learning of white tiger facts will help people to have a better understanding of the beautiful creature. Understanding can perhaps bring about the survival of this endangered species.