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

[peter]

(02-14-2015, 05:45 AM)'peter' Wrote:

(02-13-2015, 10:05 PM)'Pckts' 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. 
 

AGE CLASSES IN BIG CATS - ZULULAND LEOPARDS 

Here's a bit more on big cats and age classes. The table was first posted by Chui in the Carnivora forum. It clearly shows the differences between adolescents (2-3 years of age), young adults (4-6 years of age) and mature males (7 years and over):

*This image is copyright of its original author

This is a Natal male leopard:

*This image is copyright of its original author

The difference between the three age-classes is considerable. It could be surprising to some that the differences between young adults and mature males is quite pronounced. Mature males are longer, bigger and bulkier, resulting in more weight.

Based on what I saw in the skulls I measured, my conclusion is the differences between age-classes in lions and tigers, both larger and longer-lived than leopards, are similar. In brown bears, again larger and longer-lived than big cats, the differences are even more outspoken.

I never saw a table on big cats that compares to this one. This is how it should be done. Reply