Bengal Tiger Vs Siberian Tiger: Fascinating Difference Facts For Kids

Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason
Oct 10, 2023 By Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason
Originally Published on Oct 22, 2021
Portrait of a Royal Bengal Tiger.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.2 Min

Tigers (Panthera tigris) are the biggest members of the cat family and the focus of various conservation initiatives across the world.

There are numerous members of the tiger species (the Javan, Caspian, and Bali subspecies have already gone extinct this century), with the Siberian (or Amur) and Bengal being the most commonly observed and discussed. Both of these cats are among nature's most beautiful creatures!

The Bengal tiger and Siberian tiger are the most famous cats in the world. The Bengal tiger and Siberian tiger are two subspecies of tiger that are only found in Asia.

They are, in fact, among the most powerful and formidable species on the planet. As a result, deciding who would win between the two giant cats, the Siberian Tiger or the Bengal Tiger, is extremely difficult.

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest subspecies of tiger and is only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in Asia. It's the tiniest of the tigers, probably due to its evolution on a remote island.

Three Physical Differences Between The Bengal Tiger And The Siberian Tiger

While Siberian and Bengal tigers (two subspecies of Panthera tigris) may appear to be quite similar, there is some difference in the tigers' size, habitat, and even color.

Although tigers are the largest big animal in the world, a Bengal tiger is much smaller than a Siberian tiger. An average Siberian Tiger weighs 600-750 lb (272.1-340.2 kg) with a body length of 10-12 ft (3-3.7 m), with some males weighing 900 lb (408.2 kg) or more.

The females usually weigh half of that. Bengal tigers grow to a maximum weight of roughly 525 lb (238.1 kg) and are slightly shorter than other tigers.

Because Siberian tigers live in such a cold and snowy climate, it has a thicker, lighter-colored coat. Siberian tigers are typically larger.

Bengal tigers are a tad smaller and have a more classic orange coat. The Bengal tiger has a bright orange coat with black or gray stripes and a white underbelly. The Siberian tiger, on the other hand, has a reddish-brown hue, a shade lighter than its counterpart.

The Bengal tiger is sometimes known as the Indian tiger and may be found in isolated areas across India. Bengal tigers have been spotted in the Himalayan subalpine forests of northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Bengal tigers can also be found in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, and the eastern coast of China. The habitat of the Bengal tiger can range from mangrove woods and grasslands to deciduous forests, which have tropical climates and are highly moist.

The native habitat of Siberian tigers is much colder and further to the north. These habitats include the cold forests of eastern Russia and a few forests in the far north of China and Korea.

Other habitats of the Siberian tiger include wild coniferous and birch woods in Russia. Here, temperatures may drop to -49 F (-45 C), in sharp contrast to the Bengal tigers' more moderate habitat.

In terms of habitat, the Bengal tiger prefers to dwell in scorching desert areas and damp, cool meadows. In contrast, the Siberian tiger has adapted to live in a habitat with a much colder climate, preferring to reside in snowy areas.

Can A Bengal Tiger Kill A Siberian Tiger?

In a fight, we can't be certain of whether the Siberian tiger would easily defeat the Bengal tiger.

To fight, all tigers stand on their hind legs and use both front paws and massive arms, sizing each other up and swinging their claws to rip each other's faces. Keep in mind that when it comes to the tiger, it's all about muscles.

This gives the striped cat a huge advantage over any other predator, including bears, lions, crocodiles, and human beings.

The Siberian tiger (also known as the Amur tiger) appears to have an edge over the Bengal. This is because it is bigger and can anticipate and block its opponent's movements with its much larger arms.

Add to that the Siberian's supersized body and advanced hindquarters, which give it extra muscle and let it use forceful strikes and double swings to knock its opponent off balance, and you can see that it is a formidable opponent.

The bite force of a Bengal tiger is roughly 1,050 lb per sq in, which is enough to shatter a buffalo's windpipe.

However, it's not always true, there have been plenty of cases where the Bengal tiger have killed Siberian tigers. This mainly depends on factors such as environment, habitat, age, genetics, health and prey population. So in the end, any tiger can win, but a Siberian tiger has an edge!

Siberian tiger in nature.

Which Tiger Is The Strongest?

Amur tigers are the strongest and largest of the tiger subspecies, sometimes known as Siberian, Manchurian, Ussurian, or Northeast China tigers. Males may reach a length of 10.5 ft (3.2 m) and a weight of 660 lb (299.4 kg).

Tigers are dangerous predators and consume a wide range of prey from insects to elephant calves. Large-bodied prey, such as wild boar, deer, pig, cow, horse, water buffalo, and goat, are also an important part of their diet. Wild boar groups are hunted by Bengal tigers. A group of tigers is called a streak or an ambush.

Because of its huge size and weight, a Siberian tiger has the best chance of winning the fight. Being the largest of its species, the Siberian tiger has the ability to dominate the Bengal tiger.

These tigers normally avoid humans, but if they become unwell and find it difficult to hunt for their usual food, they may attack humans.

Why Are Tigers Not The King Of The Jungle?

In the wild, the tiger (Panthera tigris) is far larger and heavier than a lion. In fact, it has to be more ferocious in order to fight for its diet, either with deer or human beings.

Tigers, unlike lions, are solitary creatures that leave their mothers when they are approximately two years old. They only have two options: defend their territories or their prey for a diet that would be necessary to be the king of the jungle.

Lions are the real kings of the jungle because of their power and strength. They also have no fear of other animals. Tigers are stronger and fight better, but they are too heavy to battle for a long time and must rest more frequently. In contrast, lions like wrestling and do not tire easily.

Facts

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Written by Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason

Bachelor of Science specializing in Mass Communication.

Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason picture

Adekunle Olanrewaju JasonBachelor of Science specializing in Mass Communication.

With over 3+ years of professional experience, Olanrewaju is a certified SEO Specialist and Content Writer. He holds a BSc in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. Throughout his dynamic career, Olanrewaju has successfully taken on various roles with startups and established organizations. He has served as a Technical Writer, Blogger, SEO Specialist, Social Media Manager, and Digital Marketing Manager. Known for his hardworking nature and insightful approach, Olanrewaju is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.
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