Contrary to popular belief, white tigers are not a subspecies of tiger, but rather a Bengal or Siberian tiger with a rare colour mutation called leucism. It is this recessive gene that causes a lack of pigmentation in the fur, resulting in its unique white coat.
Since their existence is the result of a rare mutation appearing in the wild approximately once in every 10,000 tiger cub births, white tigers are incredibly rare. Only a handful of white tigers have ever been spotted in the wild, and because their coat doesn’t serve as camouflage, most wild white tigers don’t survive into adulthood.
Instead, these animals only exist today because they are bred in captivity, a cruel and profit-fuelled enterprise.
In captivity, white tigers are the result of inbreeding, which results in cubs being born with severe deformities and medical conditions. They are bred in unregulated pseudo-sanctuaries with the sole aim of generating massive profit, with little regard for the health and wellbeing of the animal. One study even found that 80% of inbred cubs died shortly after birth.
The only reason these majestic animals are bred in captivity is for status and money-they serve no conservation or educational purpose. White tigers are incredibly lucrative, used by entertainers and private clubs for photo opportunities and, in some cases, are even sold as exotic pets.
Pop culture has romanticised the keeping of big cats as pets, and we need to put an end to this cruel practice. Read on to discover interesting white tiger facts and learn more about what we can do to help them.
What is a white tiger’s scientific name?
A white tiger is, scientifically speaking, a tiger with a genetic mutation, so it has the same scientific name as other tigers, Panthera tigris.
A Bengal white tiger is known as Panthera tigris tigris, while a Siberian white tiger is known as Panthera tigris altaica.
Are white tigers endangered?
White tigers are endangered, but not in the traditional sense of being listed on the IUCN Red List. They are (and should be) rare, as white tigers are the result of a one in 10,000 genetic mutation.
Instead, they are endangered because they are repeatedly captured and bred by trainers who cruelly keep them for entertainment purposes. These white tigers are often inbred, which results in poor health conditions (including deformities, heart defects, and crossed eyes) and a high mortality rate.
Where does the white tiger live?
White tigers are believed to be extinct in the wild-the last known wild white tiger was killed in 1958.
However, if they weren’t extinct in the wild, the white Bengal tiger would have the same habitat as regular Bengal tigers: the forests and wetlands of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The Siberian white tiger would similarly be found with other Siberian tigers, in far-eastern Russia and northeastern China.
White tigers live exclusively in captivity now, in zoos, circuses, rescue sanctuaries, and private residences. Around the world, there are an estimated 200 white tigers in captivity, half of which live in India.
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