Introduction

Tigers are among the most popular and popularized representatives of big cats. People are aware of their splendid plumage and equally powerful predatory instincts. But, what about the living places of tigers? You may be shocked to know that the geographic range of tigers used to span from countries like Turkey and up to the Caspian sea to the Indonesian archipelago.

However, at the present moment, they are concentrated only in 5% of their historical habitat. Also, three out of nine tiger subspecies have been officially declared as extinct species of the world. Here we will find out the location of remaining tiger populations and what is being done to protect these animals.

Read on to learn the answer to the question: where is Tiger habitat found?

Are Tigers Endangered?

Scientists used to subdivide tigers into nine various subspecies; out of which three have been declared as completely extinct. However, today, most define only two species of tiger: The first one was known as the continental tiger and the second one was the Sunda Island tiger. Mainland Asia tigers are referred as continental tigers while Indonesian island tigers are referred to as Sunda Island tigers.

However, all the other tigers, whether they are dwelling in these forests or other regions, are under great stress due to the growing human population and its encroachment. Today you can find a little more than 4000 of them living in the wild in the entire world. Some of them have a stabilized population and these countries included Russia, China, Nepal and Bhutan. Whereas others such as Southeast Asia and Indonesia have been on the declining side.

Where Do Tigers Live in the World?

Originally, a home of tigers spanned Asia. When answering the above question about the habitat of tigers, it is imperative that one notes that current known tiger habitats are a lot more restricted than in the past. Once tigers made history in the whole geographical region of forest ranging from the Russian Far East, to the Indian subcontinent, to the island of Indonesia, and as far west as Turkey. 

Where are tigers found today and what type of environment do they like to inhabit? Let’s take a look.

1. Russian Far East

It is important to note that in historical perspective tigers inhabited the forest of the east coast of Russia. Currently, it is estimated that there are less than 600 Siberian (Amur) tigers in the wild in the south far east of Russia. Of all these they are most vulnerable to poaching, loss and fragmentation of their natural habitats. Siberian tigers from the Russian Far East, as all the tigers, are not only the top predators, but the keystone species as well. They occupy the highest trophic level; in the overall balance of the local environment, even these lowly creatures will be ready for extinction. The habitat range of Siberian tigers in the past also included Mongolia, China and the Korean Peninsula. They are the biggest of all the present day tigers with the males reaching the size of 11 feet in length and 600 pounds in mass.

2. Indian Subcontinent

Currently, India, Nepal and Bhutan have the largest chunk and most stable population of wild tigers remaining in the world. These are also called Bengal tigers They are the largest of the tigers and are found in the Sundarban area of Bengal. Apart from forests, Bengal tigers also inhabit Mangroves, Shrubs, Savannahs, and Hills. They hunt chital, wild pig, wild buffalos and other media to the big-sized population of the family Ungulata. In regards to size distribution, Bengal tigers are relatively big – male’s weight ranges from 270 to 570 pounds and can stretch up to 10 ft from head to tail. However, conflicts with these beings have resulted in people developing a general negative attitude towards them from different regions of the world.

3. Indochinese Peninsula

Where in the world are tigers found? The easy answer, of course, is Asia. However, a closer look at the Tigers helps to get to know that at present the Tigers are divided into four subcategories. The most extensive of these is in the Indochinese Peninsula comprising south China, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The three tiger subspecies that inhabit this place are the Malayan tiger, the Indochinese tiger, as well as the South China tiger. One must note that they inhabit the tropical forests. Their major challenges include issues to do with the place, in terms of their abode, loss of their prey and poaching.

4. Sumatra

Also besides it used to exist in Indonesia and particularly in Java, Balil, and Sumatra islands. Currently there are no Javan or Bali tigers but there is a Sumatra tiger that is still in existence. Besides, at present the scientific community subdivides tigers into just two types: the continental tigers and the Sunda Island tigers. The Sunda Island subspecies has been extinct and Sumatran tiger is the only existent subspecies of tiger. Sumatran tigers are said to number less than 400 of these tigers still thriving in the tropical forests in Sumatra. Like any other species their greatest concerns are; loss of natural habitats, and hunting or rather poaching.

Tiger Conservation: How You Can Help

Without doubt one of the key factors in facilitating the conservation of wild tigers is to protect their natural environment. Tigers need a territory to dwell in and without that territory they need a supply of food to hunt for. In addition, efforts towards banning the trade in tiger parts is in the best interest of both the wild and captive tigers. More recently the United States House of Representatives passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act which also protects tigers.