Bengal Tiger

The Bengal tiger, one of six subspecies of tigers in the world, is the only cat with striped skin. Its large size makes it the largest of the felids (carnivores that feed almost exclusively on the animals they kill). The beautiful white tigers are a variety of the Indian  specimen. Their off-white or cream color is due to a recessive mutation, a bad transcription of the genetic code in the gene responsible for color (when both mother and father are carriers of this gene). They generally have pink pupils and blue irises. The stripes are shades ranging from tan gray to black.

In the last century, hunting and forest destruction have reduced the tiger population from hundreds of thousands to  less than 2,500 The importance of conservation programs is paramount.

sylvatic species par excellence, it lives where felids abound and is particularly adapted for hunting.

Its fur is used to camouflage itself in the shadows of trees or grass. It patrols its territory,  aloneat night; it is very stealthy, so much so that its paws seem to barely touch the ground.

Tigers are among the most effective predators, behind only bears.

At mating time, however, they are surprisingly tender: male and female are very tolerant of each other. They reach sexual maturity at three years of age, and usually have litters of two to three pups (after 103 days of gestation).