White Tiger Facts

The white tigers are tigers which possess a recessive gene responsible for the characteristic white color. Only a single recessive doesn't produce white fur in tigers. It takes two of these gene received from both parents to cause the fur to become white. These tigers belong to the same species as their orange counterparts. One should mark the fact that white tigers are not albinos. The white tigers should not be confused with snow tigers too; snow tigers don't have stripes.

White Tiger Facts

The white tigers are bigger in size than the orange one's. Fur of these tigers is pale in color and it is lined with chocolate colored stripes. Eyes of the white tigers are blue in color. Average weight of these tigers is 400-550 lbs and length of these tigers ranges from 9-11 feet. Litter size of these tigers ranges from 1-6 cubs, which stay with their mother till they become 2-2½ years of age. Main diet of these tigers is deer. However, they also feed on wild pigs, cattle and fish. Along with this basic white tiger information, let us have a look at some other facts.

• It is hard to find white tigers in the wild. Most of today's white tigers are found in captivity. Out of the several hundred white tigers in the world, 100 are found in India. There is a misconception about white tigers that they originated in Siberia. Probably the logic behind this assumption is that the snowy environment of Siberia should act as a camouflage and help tigers to hide. However, the truth is that these tigers originated in India and the white fur doesn't serve any purpose from the point of hiding in forests.
• Many of the white tigers are related to each other i.e. inbreeding is required to maintain the recessive gene responsible for the occurrence of white color.
• The process of inbreeding while being necessary for the recessive gene to carry forward onto next generations, it is also responsible for the development of deformities. Cleft palate, spine scoliosis, immune deficiency and abnormalities in kidneys are amongst the deformities.
• The white tigers with a Bengal-Siberian mixed lineage are likely to have a problem called 'strabismus'. This problem is the result of visual pathways being routed incorrectly. 'Rewati' a white Bengal tiger was the only pure breed to have strabismus.
• Life expectancy of white tigers is low in comparison to orange one's. Mutated genes of white tigers is one of the reasons behind their short life expectancy. Inbreeding depression is known to be the other cause behind lower life expectancy.
• The existence of white tigers in Siberia is a matter of debate. Chances of occurrence of white recessive gene in Siberian tigers are low. This is because, no Siberian white tiger has been born in captivity till date.
• The only few Siberian tigers which possess white color are those born out of breeding with Bengal tigers.
• The white recessive gene, responsible for the pale fur is phenotypically expressed once in 10,000 births in the wild.
• The habitats of white tigers are no different from that of orange tigers. These big cats are found in deep forests as well as snow-covered regions. The Bengal tigers live in hot and humid areas, while the Amur and Indochinese tigers are found in cold climates.

White Tiger Facts for Kids
Here is some interesting white tiger information that would prove useful for kids.

• The unusual or unique color of white tigers has led to rise in their popularity.
• In the year, 1820, a white tiger was first exhibited in Europe (London).
• In the year 1984, a film footage featuring a white tigress with her orange cubs was released by the National Geographic channel. This wild animal was originally filmed by Jim Corbett in India. The film helped confirm that white tigers had earlier survived in the wild.
• The white tigers are known to be good swimmers. These big cats are however, not capable of climbing trees.

The white tiger is a rare form of tigers that is mostly found in captivity. Unlike the orange tigers, the number of white tigers is increasing day-by-day. White tigers are however, not considered to be important from the point of conservation. Most of the efforts directed to save tigers from extinction benefit the orange tiger. It is also necessary to take the desired steps to protect this endangered white tiger. Details about white tigers presented in the article above, presents before us a short account of facts. One can therefore, benefit from the facts about white tigers presented in this article.