ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - A - THE TIGER (Panthera tigris)

[GuateGojira]

An exceptional weight:
 
Is important to mention that the length of that tiger was of 328 cm “over curves”, which means that the length “between pegs” was probably between 311 – 314 cm (based in the results from Cooch Behar), barely longer than the Sauraha male with a length of 310 cm. However, the tail issue most be raised here, as the Sauraha had a tail of 113 cm, while the image of this tiger (if that is the image) seems very short, which means that the head-body was relative longer, and probably between 207 – 209 cm between pegs (if we infer that the tail was 1/3 of the length, or maybe a little less, as the image suggest). In conclusion, this tiger seems large, not exceptional, but probably very robust, like those specimens with chest girths of 150 – 160 cm.
 
On the weight issue, a figure of 320 kg seems very impressive and could rise suspicious among some circles, despite the fact that E. A. Smythies was a very reliable person. However, we must take in count the technique to capture tigers, which is the use of baits to lure the great cats.
 
Check this description:

*This image is copyright of its original author

We can assume that all the tigers from the hunting records of Nepal were baited, so, in this case, we can “guess” how much food ate that tiger. If we use the study of Dr Sunquist (1981) as surrogate (14 - 19 kg in 24 hours, from baits and natural kills), that male tiger probably weighed about 301 – 306 kg empty, however if we use the maximum figure of 35 kg reported by Dr. McDougal (1977), this male could weight as low as 285 kg, which is also impressive. This means that between 290 to 300 kg seems to be the weight “empty belly” of this giant tiger, which is still about 30 – 40 kg higher than the Sauraha male at 260 kg “empty”.
 
Of course, this are assumptions and educated “guesses”, although based on evidence of course, but for those that want to use the raw data, the male of 328 cm “over curves” and 320 kg of weight, is a true record, from a very reliable sources. Corrected, the result should be a male of 313 cm “straight line” and 300 kg empty, this is my bet.

If we use the system used by Slaght et al. (2005) in order to know IF the records are reliable, this is a perfect candidate for the title of "Very Reliable", as it came from a first hand source, it came from a reliable person and it contain data of the body size too. In fact, the "Image" looks too complex and seems to be more like a colored pictured (something normal for those days), even more clear than the image of Baikov and the Amur tiger of 560 lb.
 
Now is your turn folks, what are your opinions about my statements and conclusions?
 
Greetings to all. [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
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