Hobbies And Interests
Appearance
White tigers, as the name implies, have white fur. Unlike other animal species that are white, a white tiger is not an albino animal. This is because they still carry a form of pigment in their fur, such as their black or brown stripes. A white tiger's stripes are unique to the individual and no other tiger will share that pattern. White tigers' eyes are bright blue. On average, male white tigers weigh between 400 lbs. to 500 lbs. and female white tigers weigh between 300 lbs. to 400 lbs. White tigers can weigh larger than this, though. Both female and male white tigers can weigh as much as 660 lbs.
Behavior
White tigers prefer solitude to that of the company of others. A male white tiger may occasionally share its territory with female white tigers. If a male white tiger were to cross another male tiger's territory though, the inhabiting male would become aggressive. They mark their territory by urinating in the surrounding areas and clawing on trees. A single white tiger's territory can be up to 75 square miles. White tigers often hunt at night, though they are not nocturnal. White tigers sleep an average of 16 to 18 hours per day. White tigers start to mate between the ages of three to four years. White tigers attract mates by roaring and marking their scent. After mating, the two white tigers will part ways. A female white tiger is pregnant for 103 days. Cubs leave their mother at the age of 18 months.
Habitat
White tigers have generally been found in the Indian subcontinent. Their native lands are India, the Himalaya, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan and Bangladesh. They prefer dense, moist jungles, tropical forests and mangrove swamps. They need a habitat with dense vegetation and a massive supply of freshwater. White tigers now inhabit the zoos of Asia, Europe and the United States. The winter temperatures of certain zoos do not effect the white tiger negatively.
Diet
White tigers are carnivorous. Their natural diet consists primarily of deer, water buffalo goats, cattle and wild boar. White tigers do not get their natural diet in zoos. Zoos feed white tigers a diet consisting of chicken, horse meat and kangaroo meat and two days they fast on bones. This is due to tiger's natural habit of fasting. White tigers can eat as much as 40 lbs. of meat at one time. The tiger will then fast for several days to recover from the meal.
Life Expectancy, Endangerment and Risks
For many centuries, man has been the white tiger's biggest threat. White tigers have been hunted for their beautiful fur and to trade as exotic pets. It is now illegal to shoot a tiger. According to A to Z animals, white tigers have been declared endangered by the IUCN. A white tiger has not been seen in the wild for over 50 years. White tigers have been interbred by humans from captive white tigers. There are risks to this type of breeding, as inbred tigers may be born with deformities. Inbreeding can also subject the white tiger to health problems. Problems that can occur include crossed eyes, weakened immune systems and postural problems. White tigers in the wild live between 10 and 12 years. In captivity they are able to live up to 20.