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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
If you are fascinated by the tigers in the wild, then you must already be eager to know more about this Chinese tiger. In this article, you will find all that there is to know about this tiger subspecies and answers to questions like why is the South China tiger endangered, is South China tiger extinct, and what is being done to save the South China tiger.
South China tiger is the second smallest tiger in the world. It is currently enlisted as one of the critically endangered species by the Chinese government. There haven't been significant sightings of the South China tigers in the wild for many years now and almost all of the population is known to reside in captivity. The last confirmed sighting of these magnificent beasts happened in Hong Kong in 1947. Conservationists, along with the help of the Chinese government, are doing everything in their power to save this tiger subspecies from being extinct in the wild. Research and studies are being conducted on what can be done to preserve the South China tiger. Food chain places the South China tiger on a higher level because it is a carnivore. It hunts in the wild and eats herbivores like deer and boar. Read on for more interesting facts about the South China tiger.
If you like this article about the South China Tiger facts, you may also want to check our other animal facts articles Siberian tiger facts, and Asiatic lion facts.
The South China tiger is part of a more rare subspecies of the common tiger. Panthera tigris amoyensis is the scientific name for this subspecies. Also known as the Xiamen tiger or the Chinese Amoy tiger. The name Panthera tigris amoyensis is derived because of the local Amoy dialect spoken in the southern regions of Xiamen. The Xiamen Tiger, as it is sometimes called, this subspecies is a carnivorous animal and loves to hunt in the wild amidst its natural habitat.
The South China tiger belongs to the class of Mammalia. It belongs to a similar genus called Panthera, as do the species of leopard, jaguar, and lion. The millions of years of evolution create the resultant difference. South China tigers are known for producing hybrids in captivity with lions.
South China tigers were moved to different areas of captivity to help them restore their population. There are currently about around 100 being bred in captivity - most are in Chinese zoos and breeding centers. They haven't been seen in their natural habitat for many years now. Including adult animals and cubs, it is assumed that there are less than 20 of these tigers in the wild. South China tigers are thus critically endangered.
In previous years, the South China tigers were known to live in the major parts of central China all the way up to Hong Kong. Hunting and human encroachment have drastically reduced the chances of finding them in the wild areas of those regions making their population scarce.
Although the South China tiger can live in several different conditions, the subspecies does prefer dense tropical forests and regions of heavy vegetation. This makes it so much easier for them to find other animals and get their prey.
The South China tigers prefer a life of solitude and thus live alone. They do not generally mix in the wild or with animals of other subspecies. They don't even hunt in packs. At eight weeks, the South China tiger cubs are free to roam and explore their surroundings. At six months, they begin learning how to hunt in the wild and get their own prey by 18 months. The South China tiger cubs are completely independent by 24 months to manage on their own in the wild.
The South China tiger can live for 15 years in the wild. When kept in captivity, they tend to live five years more because of proper medical attention and treatment for diseases and ailments.
There is no specific season for reproduction with the South China tigers and hence they are free to mate throughout the year. The subspecies usually prefer the months of winters and spring for the same. The females send signals through scent or marks and sometimes even induce competition between the male counterparts for reproduction. Post mating, the males go about their routine and the females carry the babies for 100 days before birth. One litter usually consists of one to four cubs. Her job is to protect and feed them as well as teach the cubs how to hunt.
The South China tiger population has been steadily on the decline in the wild because of atrocious hunting in the mid 20th century. They are considered as one of the most endangered subspecies. Availability of natural habitat and prey are also some major reasons for the decline of this tiger subspecies. Several initiatives are being undertaken across the world to promote the conservation of this subspecies that focuses on promoting its growth in the wild.
The most remarkable aspect of the South China tiger is the coloration and the stripes. They are more distinct and vivid as compared to the other common tiger subspecies. They are almost orange or deep yellow throughout the body. The chest, legs, and some parts of the face are white in color. The stripes help them camouflage with the surroundings while they are hunting in the wild.
* Please note that this image of a tiger may not be a South China tiger.
The South China tiger, or Panthera tigris amoyensis as they are called, is a ferocious but good-looking creature with broad stripes. Their cubs are especially cute. The distinct features and bold stripes of this tiger subspecies make them majestic and quite appealing to the eye.
Although this tiger subspecies prefers to live in solitude, it has its own ways of communication. When it meets the other tiger in the wild, it has a series of vocalizations to convey different emotions like anger, anxiety, or dominance. It also leaves scents and marks to communicate with the females.
The South China tiger size differs from males to females. The subspecies is considered the second smallest among the common tiger species. They are 90-103 inches long. A young cub of the South China tiger weighs 2lb and is about one-third the size of a human baby.
It can reach speeds of 35 - 40 mph (49 - 65 kph).
The South China tiger is generally considered to be one of the smallest tigers in the subspecies and weighs anything in between 221-430 lbs (100kg - 195kg).
Although the South China tiger, Panthera tigris amoynesis, and Xiamen Tiger are some of the names used for this endangered creature, there are no specific names given for the males and females of this species.
The baby South China tiger is called a cub like other tigers.
The South China tigers are carnivores and thus they get their prey through hunting. Herbivorous animals like deer, boars, cattle, and goats form a major part of their diet. They rarely eat smaller primitive species like porcupines, hares, and peafowl, making them anti-pest.
Despite being one of the smallest, the South China tigers can be ferocious at times.
As they are carnivorous animals, the South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) won't make a good domestic pet.
The South China tiger facts state that these tiger's stripes are unique to each one of them, just like the fingerprints in humans. Since meat forms a major part of their diet, these tigers have special hunting skills. They can hunt both on land and in water. Unlike other tigers, the stripes of the South China tiger are broad, with more space between them, making them look even better.
The South China tigers usually hunt large mammals like deer, wild boar, cattle, and goats.
They are not extinct but critically endangered animals, which means that very few of them are left in the world. Some experts suggest it could be less than 20 pairs in the wild and around 100 in the zoo.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Ocelots and Sumatran elephants.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our South China tiger coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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