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

[peter]

Pckts\ dateline='\'1423847157' Wrote: I agree that tigers or any big cats for that matter should be placed in age groups. Tigers and lions both continue to grow vertically and horizontally up until the age of 9-10. At least from what I have seen, but tbh I haven't paid especially great attention to ages of tigers and lions compared to their length. It is something I notice from time to time, but I will start to pay closer attention to that now. 

I would encourage it, as age classes are more important than many think. From experience, I can say there's no question there's a strong relation between age and skull development. Same for status (wild or captive/healthy or unhealthy) and skull development. The reason is bones reflect background (upbringing and general conditions) way better than many assume. 

In most tables on big cats, researchers do not distinguish between the variables mentioned in my previous post. For this reason, they often are confusing to a degree.  

One reason researchers keep it simple is a lack of data. It takes a lot of time to get to a sample large enough to get to reliable statements. Researchers often just do not have the time needed. They need to produce something at regular intervals, because science, most unfortunately, has been affected by rules typical for commercial markets. Reply