Tigers wait until dark to hunt. The tiger sprints to an unsuspecting animal, usually pulling it off its feet with its teeth and claws. If the prey animal is large, the tiger bites its throat. The tiger is a large, carnivorous mammal and the largest living big cat. Their distinctive fur is orange and white with dark vertical stripes. The pattern of stripes is unique to each individual. There are two subspecies of tiger, commonly referred to as the continental tiger and the Sunda island tiger. All remaining island tigers are found only in Sumatra, with tigers in Java and Bali now extinct. Learn five surprising facts about these striped felines, including how large the cats can be, an adaptation some developed for swimming, and how much wild tiger populations have declined. tiger, (Panthera tigris), largest member of the cat family (Felidae), rivaled only by the lion (Panthera leo) in strength and ferocity; it is a famous apex predator (meaning without a natural predator or enemy). Based on the best available information, tiger populations are stable or increasing in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and China. About 5,574 tigers remain in the wild, according to the Global Tiger Forum, but much more work is needed to protect this species if we are to secure its future in the wild. The Caspian and Siberian tiger populations were the northernmost in mainland Asia. The Siberian tiger was also called Amur tiger , Manchurian tiger , Korean tiger , and Ussurian tiger , depending on the region where individuals were observed. Tiger. The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a large cat and a member of the genus Panthera native to Asia. It has a powerful, muscular body with a large head and paws, a long tail and orange fur with black, mostly vertical stripes. The tiger, a creature of unparalleled majesty and power, stands as an enduring symbol of the wild. Its striking striped coat, piercing gaze, and formidable presence have captivated human imagination for millennia. Secure login page for TigerConnect Messenger, enabling users to access their accounts with email and password.