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

[Pckts]

Wild indian tigers differ from location to location, albeit small variations but still different.
Tigers in Tadoba that I saw have a darker coat and their body structure seems a little less dense compared to pench and kanha where tigers have lighter coats and seemed more muscular. The guides told me that the more hilly areas in Kahna produced larger tigers, not sure if it's true or not, it's hard to tell with the naked eye. But I definitely think the fact that Kanha and Pench or much more hilly with dense vegetation year round, especially Kanha, is a main factor as to why they seem more robust. Maybe the heat of Tadoba plays a role in the Tigers appearance as well, may be not. I would assume that the same should hold true with Amurs, the ones living in hilly terrain should could be more powerful than others. The fact that they have less prey now a days spread over vast territories and the need for fat reserves in the winter may also contribute to their "lean look" in summer months. But in regards to "athletic look" I think you can look towards females and see that there is probably not much difference. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more athletic tigress than what you see in central india. Males are harder to determine since I only saw 2 and both were large, bulky individuals. Reply