Greeniz Bengal Tigers

Bengal Tiger Header

The Bengal Tiger, the second largest of the 5 subspecies, roams mainly in the range of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Bengals are also the largest in population of the subspecies. Basically the population of the Bengal Tiger numbers higher than the WHOLE of the remaining 4 subspecies. Population numbers of 2,750 to 3,750 in India alone, which is a figure from 1994. The Bengals of India are distributed among 66 protected areas, of which 20 of those fall under the blanket of Project Tiger. Another 150-250 tigers live in 3 protected areas in Nepal, 50-240 tigers are in 4 protected areas in Bhutan, about 300-460 tigers live in 3 protected areas in Bangladesh, and an unknown number of tigers remain in Myanmar.

Although the wild Bengal tiger populations are considered more secure in India than other tiger subspecies found elsewhere in Asia, there exists the potential for rapid demise of thier population through recently increased levels of poaching and poisoning, even if Bengals exist mainly in protected areas.

A Bengal's markings are very similar to that of the Siberian. The coat having a brighter orange, with stripes closer together than the Siberian, but again having very few stripes on the forelegs and shoulders. Bengals have a lot less white on their chest and bellies, and do not have the fat of the Siberian, due to the milder climate they live in.

Only the Bengal has the double recessive gene that produces the white coloring in the White Bengal. The White Bengals are not a separate subspecies, and they are not albinos. They have blue eyes, a pink nose, and creamy white fur with chocolate colored stripes. White tigers are only born when two tigers mate that both carry the unusual gene for white coloring mate. The population of White Bengals is found primarily in zoos, and "man-made" habitats. No reports have been made of White Bengals living in the wild.

Again, the Bengals have the marking on its head which is said to be the mark of the Chinese Wang or King.

The markings of the tigers are said to be for camouflage, which makes sense when you read just how the subspecies differ in markings in comparison to their habitat.