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

[peter]

PANTHERA TIGRIS AMOYENSIS (V. Mazak, 'Der Tiger', third edition, 1983)

Although the pages below have been posted before, I decided for a repost. The paragraphs below were added to help you out. They are based on the scans. 


a - Holotype

Hankau, near Wuhan, Hubei (can you find a nice map, Grizzly?) 


b - Skull

In general, skulls of Amoy tigers are somewhat less massive than those of Indian tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) or Indochinese tigers (Panthera Tigris corbetti). The major reason is size; skulls of Chinese tigers are smaller than those of Indian or Indochinese tigers.

Compared to skulls of these two subspecies, the frontal part of the skull (the face) is less vaulted, whereas the occiput is a bit wider. The sagittal crest is less well developed and nearly straight.


c - Colour

Although subject to individual variation, the colouration is similar to that in many Indochinese tigers, but definitely darker than in Indian tigers. White parts on the belly and legs smaller. 

Stripes very black, but no clear pattern. In general, Chinese tigers have less stripes than Indochinese and Indian tigers. Most stripes are wide apart, wide, shortish and doubled on the side. Tail rings (referring to the dark stripes on the tail) relatively wide and often doubled.

White near the eyes limited in size and at times creme in colour. White spot on the (back of the) ear smaller.


d - Mane

Hair length similar as in Indochinese and Indian tigers, but Chinese tigers seldom developed a mane. 


e - Distribution

Chinese tigers were seen in most parts of China. Near large rivers, they ranged quite far west. In the south, they reached the northern parts of Yunnan, Guangxi and Guangdong.


f - Size

Measured 'between pegs', males ranged between 250-265 cm. in total length (8.2-8.8 roughly), as opposed to 230-240 cm. (7.5-7.9) for females. Males averaged about 140-145 kg. (309-321 pounds), whereas females ranged between 100-115 kg. (221-254 pounds). The heaviest male he knew of was 385 pounds (Smith, 1928, pp, 438).

In Mazak's opinion, Chinese tigers were a bit smaller than Indochinese tigers.  
  

g - V. Mazak 

- Although the third edition of his book was published in 1983, V. Mazak collected most information he used for his book well before 1980. I know, because Dr. P. van Bree told me (Dr. P. van Bree and V. Mazak were friends and saw each other at regular intervals). In the days Mazak tried to find information about tigers, the Czech Republic still was Tsjecho-Slovakia. Like most countries in central and eastern Europe, it had been occupied by the Red Army in the Second World War. The occupation lasted until 1989, when the Sovjet-Union collapsed. Mazak, most unfortunately, didn't live to see it happen. He died well before his time.

When he was active, therefore, Tjecho-Slovakia was occupied by the Russians. The disadvantage was restrictions all over the place and a lack of personal freedom, whereas the advantage was (knowledge of the Russian language and) access to Russian literature. At times, Mazak visited Russia. This is the reason he, most probably, was able to find and contact one of the Jankowskis.  


h - Summary

The Chinese tigers Mazak saw were different from Indochinese and Indian tigers in that they were generally darker and had less stripes. The stripes were darker, wider, wider apart and doubled on the sides. Chinese tigers seldom developed a mane and apparently were a bit smaller than Indochinese tigers.  

Mazak only saw few skulls and apparently never read the books written by Caldwell and a few others who hunted tigers in different regions of China. The information I have says males shot in the southeastern part of China not seldom exceeded 9 feet in total length (measured 'between pegs'). Some reached or exceeded 400 pounds. Tigers in central parts of China could have been a bit smaller, but those in northern parts of China seemed to have been larger. One male shot in northwest China not so long ago was as large as an average male Amur tiger. This was a wild male.  

As to skulls. J.H. Mazak, definitely inspired by V. Mazak, published information about skulls of Chinese, Indochinese and Sunda tigers a few years ago. Although a bit shorter than those of Indochinese tigers, the difference was very limited. The question is what we really know. 


i - Appreciation

The description on colouration and stripe patterns is detailed, but I'm not sure if V. Mazak saw tigers from the southeastern part of China. One has to remember that zoos in eastern Europe often had tigers captured in central parts of China. One reason could have been that many parts of central China were developed for agriculture after WWII. Tigers, as in the Caspian region half a century before, were considered as pests and hunted. Although a few were captured and sent to zoos, most were killed. 

The captive tigers in a facility in Southern China are said to be (relatives of) Chinese tigers, but they are quite similar to the tigers in the photographs below (see the scans). Tigers shot in the southeastern part of China half a century ago, however, might have been somewhat different:

1 - Captive Chinese tiger from a Fujian facility 2003:

*This image is copyright of its original author

2 - Captive Chinese tigress Tierpark Berlin 1972:

*This image is copyright of its original author

3 - Wild male Chinese tiger shot in the fifties of the last century:

*This image is copyright of its original author

      
j - Scans (pages 148-152, in German)

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

k - More

I have quite a bit more on descriptions, measurements, weights and habits. I also found articles in newspapers. Not reliable per se, but interesting. When I have time, I will post what I have. Reply