Enjoy these amazing facts about Sumatran tigers. From their history to their impressive hunting skills, there’s always something new to learn about everyone’s favourite big cat!
1. They are the smallest tigers
There are five tiger subspecies and Sumatran tigers are the smallest.
2. They're under threat in the wild
Conservationists estimate that there could be as few as 300 Sumatran tigers left in the wild.
3. Cubs learn to hunt quickly
Tiger cubs will start hunting from as young as one year old, but they’ll stay with their mother until they’re two years old.
4. They've been around for 2 million years!
Fossils of tiger remains in China show that tigers could be over 2 million years old!
5. They love water
Unlike like most of their cousins, tigers love swimming and will frequently cool off by having a dip in nearby rivers.
6. They're unique
No two tigers are ever the same; each has its own unique stripe pattern.
7. They're loud!
A tiger’s roar is so loud that is can be heard from two miles away!
8. They have narrow stripes
Sumatran tigers have the narrowest black stripes of any tiger subspecies. This is because they are ambush predators in the Indonesian jungle and need to blend in amongst the thick vegetation.
9. They can jump!
Tigers are excellent jumpers. Even when sitting down, a tiger can leap forward 10 metres!
10. They have five different types of whiskers
These whiskers pick up on vibrations their prey makes when moving through the jungle.
11. They have a strong bite
A tiger can bite down with the force of 1000 pounds!
12. The collective noun is a streak
A group of tigers is known as an ‘ambush’ or a ‘streak’.
Learn more about our amazing Sumatran tigers with a visit to Tiger Territory.
