An animal spotted by a photographer in the jungles of southern India may be the fairest known tiger living outside of captivity.
Rare Pale Tiger Photographed
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A rare “pale tiger”, whose fur conservationists say could be the fairest of any in the wild, has been photographed in southern India.
Expert Observation
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“It is the palest tiger I have ever seen on the record or heard about in literature,” said Belinda Wright, the founder of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
Photographer’s Encounter
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The animal was spotted last week by wildlife photographer Nilanjan Ray while driving in Nilgiri biosphere reserve in Tamil Nadu state.
Distinction from White Tigers
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Pale tigers, distinct from white tigers, are thought to have a genetic mutation that results in what biologists call colour morphism.
Genetic Mutation Explanation
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Colour morphism occurs in environments with large, random mating pools that allow for the varied exchange of genes.
Expert’s Genetic Insight
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Parvish Pandya, a doctor of zoology, said the birth of a tiger with pale fur was “quite a genetic chance”.
Albino Tiger Clarification
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He ruled out the possibility the tiger was albino, citing the lack of pinkish hue around its eyes.
Historical Comparison
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Wright, who has spent decades in India tracking tigers, said she recalled only ever seeing one before, in the Ranthambore national park in Rajasthan in the 1980s.
Unique Paleness
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“But it wasn’t nearly as pale as this one,” she said.
Last Wild White Tiger
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A hunter shot the last white tiger in the wild in 1958, and though some still live in public and private zoos, many suffer severe health problems due to a lack of genetic mixing.
Genetic Mixing Issues
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Wright said the absence of white tiger genes in the wild meant the pale tiger in Tamil Nadu could be the fairest known tiger living outside captivity.
Comparison to Lighter-Coloured Tigers
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“You occasionally see lighter-coloured tigers, but they’re nothing compared to this one,” she said.
Pale Tigers in Captivity
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“There are also some pale tigers in captivity, particularly in the US, but these are ‘cocktail’ tigers that are bred that way, with genes from white tigers.”
Photographer’s Detailed Account
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Ray said he was driving through the national park when he encountered an ordinarily coloured tiger on the road around 200 feet away. The animal quickly fled.
Let’s dive into the physical characteristics of the tiger…
What is the Average Size of a Tiger?
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Tigers typically measure between 8 to 10 feet in length from head to tail and can weigh between 220 to 660 pounds, depending on the subspecies.
How Many Subspecies of Tigers Exist?
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There are currently six living subspecies of tigers: Bengal, Indochinese, Malayan, Siberian, South China, and Sumatran. Each subspecies varies in size, habitat, and physical characteristics.
What is the Fur Pattern of Tigers?
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Tigers have a distinctive orange coat with black stripes, which provides camouflage in their natural habitat. The pattern of stripes is unique to each tiger, much like human fingerprints.
How Sharp are a Tiger’s Claws and Teeth?
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Tigers have retractable claws that can grow up to 4 inches long, and their canines can reach up to 3 inches in length. These adaptations are crucial for hunting and capturing prey.
How Good is a Tiger’s Vision and Hearing?
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Tigers have excellent night vision, which is six times better than that of humans. Their hearing is also acute, allowing them to detect prey and other sounds from a significant distance.
Bottom Line
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Overall, the discovery of this unique pale tiger in the Nilgiri biosphere reserve reminds us of the amazing diversity of wildlife in India. Additionally, the sighting offers valuable insights into the genetic variations within tiger populations.
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