Amur and Kaziranga Tigers - Habitat and Prey Analysis

[GuateGojira]

Just my "3 cents":

1. There is no study showing that there is a direct correlation between water and development of muscles in cats, just speculations. In fact, Peter made a correct argument on his comparison with Kaziranga and Sundarbans. The important thing here is the habitat variations and the prey in the area, and possible the genetic of the specimens. These two populations are very close, but still, they develop the largest and the smallest tiger populations in the entire world. Funny as it is, the largest tiger population and the smallest tiger populations are not the Amur and the Bali, both are the Bengal tiger. I think that it will be interesting a comparison between the two habitats, just for the sake of knowledge. [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

2. From the records that I have saw, there is practically no difference in size (body length, shoulder height) between all the populations of Indian tigers (with available measurements), excepting Sundarbans and probably Hyderabad (but that sample is too small). Overall, the samples of Cooch Behar, Brander and Hewett presents limits of up to c.310 cm and averages of c.280 cm, between pegs. Those in Southern India have few samples, but still, they generate about the same figures. In this case, I think that the differences are in weight, but with only 7 males weighed in the entire Western Ghats in about 100 years, it is very difficult to reach a reliable conclusion.

3. Tigers overall are very athletic, however Amur tigers are known to kill the largest predator (bears) and the most dangerous prey (giant wild boar), in this case, sloth bears and Indian boars can't be comparable to the Russian foe. If we compare them (Amur vs Bengal), there is very few to choose, both have the largest canines among any land predator and they have incredible strong skulls, but Amur tigers have the largest sagital crest among any large cat and I hypothesized that probably they developed this because its principal prey was the wild boar. As far we know, Amur tigers seems to be the most cursorial of the tiger populations, which probably suggest a different morphological adaptations. I think that Peter suggestions most be analyzed deeply.

Just a "wild" thought, which prey is more dangerous, an Indian wild buffalo or a giant Russian wild boar? I discard gaur because although is very big, it is know to normally run away instead of fighting.
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