Javan Tiger Facts (Panthera tigris sondaica) - Extinct Subspecies
Extinct subspecies which was native exclusively to the Indonesian island of Java.
fun and interesting facts about the Javan Tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) - Extinct Subspecies For kids
About the Javan Tiger - Extinct Subspecies: Panthera tigris sondaica
- Location: Native exclusively to the Indonesian island of Java.
- Stripe Pattern: The Javan tiger featured narrow and densely packed stripes, similar to those of the Sumatran tiger.
- Color: The overall coloration was dark, with a deep orange or even sometimes a more rufous hue, which helped them blend into the island’s dense tropical forests.
Java Tiger From Indonesian Island Of Java is now Extinct
The Javan tiger, scientifically known as Panthera tigris sondaica, is another subspecies that is now declared extinct.
It was once found on the Indonesian island of Java, but the last known sighting of a Javan tiger was in the 1970s. Similar to other tiger subspecies, habitat loss and poaching played a significant role in their decline.
The Downfall of The Javan Tiger
The rapid expansion of agriculture and human settlements on Java resulted in the destruction of the Javan tiger’s natural habitat.
This, coupled with rampant hunting and poaching, led to a sharp decrease in their population.
The Javan tiger was particularly vulnerable to poaching for its skin and body parts, which were highly sought after in the illegal wildlife trade.
Conservation for the Javan Tiger Failed
Conservation efforts for the Javan tiger were insufficient to prevent its extinction.
Unfortunately, like the Caspian tiger, no captive breeding programs were established in time to save this subspecies.
The loss of the Javan tiger highlights the urgent need for proactive and effective conservation measures to protect the remaining tiger subspecies.
Javan Tiger Facts (Panthera tigris sondaica) - Extinct Subspecies
Pictured below is a Javan Tiger pelt from the 1930s.
Despite the loss of these subspecies, there is still hope for tiger conservation. Several other tiger subspecies, such as the Bengal tiger, Siberian tiger, and Sumat
Tiger Species Sizes
Here’s a table ordering the 9 tiger subspecies by body size length, including average weight and country of origin:
| Subspecies | Average Body Length (Male) | Average Weight (Male) | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siberian (Amur) tiger | 270-330 cm (8.9-10.8 ft) | 180-306 kg (397-675 lb) | Russia, China, North Korea |
| Bengal tiger | 270-310 cm (8.9-10.2 ft) | 200-260 kg (440-570 lb) | India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan |
| Caspian tiger (extinct) | 270-295 cm (8.9-9.7 ft) | 170-240 kg (375-530 lb) | Central Asia, Iran, Turkey |
| Indochinese tiger | 255-285 cm (8.4-9.3 ft) | 150-195 kg (330-430 lb) | Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia |
| Malayan tiger | 237-280 cm (7.8-9.2 ft) | 120-180 kg (265-397 lb) | Malay Peninsula |
| South China tiger | 230-265 cm (7.5-8.7 ft) | 127-177 kg (280-390 lb) | South-central China |
| Javan tiger (extinct) | 220-255 cm (7.2-8.4 ft) | 100-141 kg (220-311 lb) | Java, Indonesia |
| Sumatran tiger | 220-250 cm (7.2-8.2 ft) | 100-140 kg (220-310 lb) | Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Bali tiger (extinct) | 220-230 cm (7.2-7.5 ft) | 90-100 kg (198-220 lb) | Bali, Indonesia |
This table is organized from largest to smallest based on average body length for males.
References:
- https://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/tiger/characteristics
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger
- https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/tiger/characteristics/
It’s important to note that:
- Measurements can vary between individuals and studies.
- Females are generally smaller than males for all subspecies.
- The three extinct subspecies (Caspian, Javan, and Bali) are included based on historical data.
- The South China tiger is functionally extinct in the wild, with only a few individuals potentially remaining.
- Weight ranges can overlap between subspecies, and exceptional individuals may fall outside these averages.
