Panthera tigris is the Scientific name of the tiger. Tigers belong to the Felidae family and the genus Panthera. Within the Panthera genus, tigers are classified as big cats and are closely related to other members, such as lions, leopards, and jaguars. The common ancestor of tigers and other big cats likely lived around 10 to 15 million years ago in Africa. However, approximately 2 million years ago, a branch of Felidae migrated from Africa to Asia. Over time, these ancestors underwent further evolution, eventually giving rise to the tigers that exist in the present day.
What is the Scientific Name of the Tiger?
The scientific name of the tiger is Panthera tigris.
The word “tiger” originates from the Old English word “tigras” or “tiger,” which was derived from the Latin word “tigris.” The Latin term, in turn, was borrowed from the Greek word “tigris. It may have originated from the Persian word “tigra,” meaning “pointed or sharp,” or the Avestan word “tigrhi,” meaning “arrow.” These words may have been chosen to describe the tiger’s agile and swift movements, although these words are not directly related to the meaning of tiger.
Tiger Taxonomy
The Scientific Name of Tiger is based on the following taxonomy tree:
| Kingdom |
Animalia |
| Phylum |
Chordata |
| Class |
Mammalia |
| Order |
Carnivora |
| Suborder |
Feliformia |
| Family |
Felidae |
| Subfamily |
Pantherinae |
| Genius |
Panthera |
| Species |
P. tigris |
Characteristics of Tiger
The tiger is the largest member of the Felidae family and is known for its distinctive appearance and powerful build. Some of the characteristics of a tiger are as follows:
- Physical appearance: Tigers have a muscular body with a large head and round ears. They have a unique pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur, which provides excellent camouflage in their natural habitats. The belly and the inner sides of the limbs are usually white.
- Size and weight: Tigers vary in size depending on their subspecies. The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest, with males reaching lengths of up to 10 feet and weighing between 180 to 320 kgs. The smallest subspecies is the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), with males measuring around 8 feet in length and weighing 110 to 160 kg.
- Habitat: Tigers are found in diverse habitats across Asia, including forests, grasslands, mangrove swamps, and even high-altitude regions. Their habitat preferences depend on the subspecies.
- Behavior: Tigers are solitary animals and mark their territories by spraying urine, anal gland secretion, etc. Tigers are primarily nocturnal hunters and rely on their strength, speed, and powerful jaws to capture and kill their prey. Unlike many other big cats, tigers are excellent swimmers and are known to swim across rivers and lakes in their habitat. They are also capable of hunting in water.
- Reproduction: Tigers do not have a specific mating season, and reproduction can occur year-round. After a gestation period of approximately 100 to 110 days, a female tiger gives birth to a litter of usually 2 to 3.
- Conservation Status: Tigers are endangered species, with decreasing populations and fragmented habitats. Human activities, such as deforestation, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade, pose significant threats to their survival.
FAQs on the Scientific Name of Tiger
1. What is the Scientific Name of the Tiger?
Answer:
The scientific name of the tiger is Panthera tigris.
2. What does “Panthera tigris” mean?
Answer:
“Panthera” refers to the genus that includes big cats like tigers, lions, leopards, and jaguars. “Tigris” is the species name, specific to the tiger.
3. Who came up with the Scientific Name for the Tiger?
Answer:
The scientific name Panthera tigris was given by the Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 when he formalized the system of naming species known as binomial nomenclature.
4. Are there different Subspecies of tigers with separate scientific names?
Answer:
Yes, there are several subspecies of tigers, and each has its own scientific name. Some examples include:
- Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
- Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
- Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
- Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti)
- Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni)
5. Are there any other Big Cats in the Panthera genus?
Answer:
Yes, besides tigers (Panthera tigris), the Panthera genus includes other big cats such as:
- Lion (Panthera leo)
- Leopard (Panthera pardus)
- Jaguar (Panthera onca)
- Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)