Donate
Population in the wild
Fewer than 400 estimated in the wild
IUCN status
Critically endangered
Order
Carnivora
Type
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Region
Indonesian island of Sumatra
Habitat
Tropical rainforest

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered

Sumatran tigers are the rarest and smallest subspecies of tiger in the world and are currently classed as critically endangered.

The rarest and smallest subspecies of tiger in the world

Sumatran tigers have the darkest coats of all tiger subspecies and long whiskers.

What do Sumatran tigers look like?

Deep orange coats with broad black stripes. Sumatran Tigers have the darkest coats of all tiger subspecies and long whiskers.

Sumatran tiger at ZSL London Zoo

What are key Sumatran tiger facts? 

  • Sumatran tigers are the rarest and smallest subspecies of tiger in the world and are currently classed as critically endangered.

  • Tigers are both good swimmers and climbers with powerful muscular builds and large claws.

  • In order to catch prey, they hunt alone.

  • They get as close as possible to their prey using their stripes as camouflage to stay hidden, then spring into attack, killing the prey with a bite to the neck. No two tigers have the exact same set of markings, making them identifiable by their uniquely patterned coats.

Where do Sumatran tigers live?

On the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Learn more about how we're overcoming these threats

 A close up of an Amur leopard and a tiger sitting down with snow covered trees in the background
WildCats Conservation Alliance

WildCats Conservation Alliance

There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers estimated in the wild
Help us save them from extinction

What do Sumatran tigers eat? 

Mainly wild cattle, wild pigs and deer.

What threats do Sumatran tigers face? 

Illegal hunting is a serious threat. Their skins and body parts fetch high prices on the black market.