(07-30-2020, 05:26 AM)peter Wrote:

(07-27-2020, 09:56 PM)Pckts Wrote: Mamu from Bandhavgarh

*This image is copyright of its original author

PC

Great picture again. I recently had some visitors over. All of them are (or were) involved in captive big cats in some way and all knew their business. Although all think tigers in northern India are larger and heavier (at the level of averages), they were as impressed by tigers from central India. Tigers in zoos and facilities can be large as well, but only very few are as robust as wild male Indian tigers. 

Although all of them saw their fair share of captive Indian tigers (some decades ago), they were suprised at the difference between captive and wild tigers today. Their guess is the Indian reserves, smallish but well-stocked as a general rule, enable tigers to get to their potential. Another factor to consider in this respect is the competition for real estate. They think the model seen today is a more or less direct result of both factors (and sexual competition in particular). 

That 'model', in their eyes, is quite different from the model seen in the days of Dunbar Brander, when male tigers averaged 9.3 (281,94 cm.) in total length (straight) and 420 lbs. (190,51 kg.) in Central India. They don't think males today are longer or taller, but heavier. 

You seem to know a few people involved in wild Indian tigers. Any chance of getting some info on the girth of chests, necks, skulls, fore-arms and upper arms of adult males? Same for weights and 'heel width'.   

Our new lion mod (701) has quite a bit of experience with forums. He was quite impressed when he first visited Wildfact. The visitors mentioned above agreed. Meaning well-viewed threads about wild tigers are visited by people in the know as well. Good information and comments are much appreciated, but so are good pictures. They in particular enable those involved in big cats to get an idea of the size of wild tigers today. In this department, you most definitely contributed quite a bit. They asked me to let you know. Good work, my friend.