All for TIGERS! - FAQ

Q1) How and where can I get my own pet tiger?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A1) Tigers are wild animals and are not domesticated. I do not support getting a tiger as a pet. This is terrible for the tiger and not all that good for the human. Tigers are cute as cubs, but as they grow they can hurt a person very easily. Tigers need special medical care, calcium supplements as cubs, 20-40 pounds of meat per meal, and lots of space. Most tigers that are bought as pets are neglected or mistreated. Many people think that if they declaw and defang a tiger, then that tiger will be OK as a pet. This is a terrible thing to do and it's wrong! If you have your heart set on caring for a tiger, do so by 'adopting' one that is at an animal sanctuary. You can 'adopt' a tiger that is being cared for at Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat for $2400(US) a year. If you think that this is too much to spend - how would you take care of your own tiger?! If this doesn't explain why it's wrong to own a tiger as a pet, please contact Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat. Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat has been working with and rescuing tigers and other big cats for over twenty years.

Q2) What are the white spots on the back of tigers ears?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A2) The white spots are called 'eye spots' or 'predator spots'. They help keep cubs safe from predators that are approaching from behind by appearing as eyes, and making it seem like the tiger is larger and looking at the predator. They also help adult tigers in the same way.

Q3) Do tigers like water and can they swim?
 
 

A3) Yes, tigers like water and they are excellent swimmers. Their paws have webbing between their toes. When a tiger spreads its toes, it is a fast swimmer. Tigers will sometimes run hoofed prey into water to gain advantage as hoofed animals are slower in the water.

Q4) What areas do tigers live in, now and in the past?
 
 

A4) The best source of geographic information along with maps for each of the tiger subspecies that I have found is The Tiger Information Center. They have a lot of great information!

Q5) Can I use some of the tiger pictures from your site?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A5) The tiger pictures on my site are most likely copyrighted, but almost all of them have been sent to me with no copyright information. If you find a picture that is copyrighted to you, please leave me a message in my GuestBook and I will either add that information or remove the picture - your choice. I do not mind if you use the pictures of the tigers, but all of the graphics are copyrighted and may not be used or duplicated with out written consent. You can download this zip file of 35 various tiger pictures (750k) for personal use only, as some of the pictures may be copyrighted. (Need WinZip? Get it free.)
The only pictures that can NOT (under any circumstance!) be used, copied, etc. are the pictures in the VotK area, as these pictures are copyrighted by Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat

Q6) What is the Tasmanian Tiger?
 

A6) The Tasmanian Tiger is a marsupial from Australia. More information about them can be found at here. You can also find books on the Tasmanian Tiger at Amazon.com.

Q7) Why are the tigers almost extinct?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A7) The tiger is an endangered species. It is estimated that there are about 4000 - 6000 wild tigers today, although some estimates are as high as 7500. There are about 1150 kept in captivity. Because of the decline of territory and poaching, tigers starve to death and show sharp declines in their populations. Severe loss of habitat due to the growth and spread of man amplify this by causing the tiger to have a smaller territory than normal.
In the 20th century tigers were considered pests because they would prey on farmers stalks. Russia and China offered a bounty as compensation for their destruction, so tigers were shot or poisoned carelessly. Hunting tigers became very popular in the 1900s, especially with the Indian upper class and British officers. In Russia, the soldiers would hunt tigers as part of training to increase courage in battle.
This needless killing has created habits that are still rearing their ugly heads today. Even though it is now illegal to hunt any tiger, they are still being slaughtered by poachers. This is the pre-eminent threat to the Siberian tiger; any animal for that matter. They still hunt these beautiful cats primarily for their coats, bones, and other body parts. The bones and other body parts are used in traditional oriental medicines. Since the USSR collapsed, poaching of tigers and of their prey has caused sharp declines in the Siberian tiger population.
Resent research has shown that even though the selling or trading of any products made from tigers is illegal the business is booming. The purchasing of these products will soon wipe out the species. Investigations have found out that the illegal selling of animal products is 1.7 billion dollar [US] a year business. A tiger skin can sell for as much as $10,000[US], its bones are sold as medicine and its eyes as good luck charms. This is WRONG! The saddest thing is that we are all a part of it. Think of this: If we didn't put a market out there for this stuff, then the poachers wouldn't have any place to sell it.
The governments of the world are not going to be able to stop this insane slaughtering of animals by themselves, we all must help.

Q8) What is a Liger?

A8) A Liger is the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger.

Q9) What is a Tigon?

A9) A Tigon is the offspring of a male tiger and a female lion.