All about the Bengal tiger – one of the six rarest tiger species on the planet

The Bengal tiger is a favorite animal in zoos because of its majestic appearance worthy of the position of king of the forest. This is a rare and endangered species and is being preserved at Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc. The article provides detailed information about the Bengal tiger and interesting stories in the journey to care for this animal.

1. Introduction to the Bengal tiger – an animal symbolizing strength
1.1. Origin and characteristics of the Bengal tiger
The Bengal tiger’s scientific name is Panthera tigris tigris. This is the most commonly found tiger dung in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and southern Tibet. The Bengal tiger has yellow-orange fur and characteristic brown-black stripes. White Bengal tigers are a rare mutation. This is the national symbol of India and Bangladesh.

Rare Bengal white tiger

Rare Bengal white tiger – national symbol of India and Bangladesh

1.2. Learn about the habitat of the Bengal tiger
Bengal tigers have quite diverse habitats, including grasslands, scrub forests, tropical and subtropical rainforests and mangrove forests. This is the most common subspecies in the Tiger family, but the number of individuals in the wild is gradually decreasing and is at risk of extinction due to hunting and shrinking habitat…

Bengal tigers have quite diverse habitats

Bengal tigers have quite diverse habitats, from grasslands, shrub forests, tropical and subtropical rain forests to mangrove forests (Photo: collected)

1.3. Size of Bengal tiger
Adult male Bengal tigers are about 1 meter tall, weigh from 180 – 300kg and can be up to 2.7 – 3.65 meters long (including the tail). Meanwhile, an adult female Bengal tiger is about 75cm tall, weighs 110 – 200kg and is 2.1 – 2.8 meters long.

Some Bengal tigers found in the wild can weigh over 300kg and be up to 4m long. Therefore, when comparing Bengal tigers and Siberian tigers, Bengal tigers often dominate in size and strength.

The Bengal tiger is considered the strongest tiger subspecies

The Bengal tiger is considered the strongest tiger subspecies when it dominates in size and weight

1.4. Bengal tiger and life cycle
Bengal tigers usually live alone or in groups of 3-4 individuals. This animal usually has a lifespan of no more than 26 years, males mature at 4-5 years old and females mature at 3-4 years.

Mother tigers are pregnant for about 3.5 months and give birth to 1 – 4 cubs at a time. Each birth is 2-3 years apart. Tiger cubs feed on mother’s milk for the first 6 months of life, then participate in hunting. They begin to separate from their mothers, find their own territory and live independently when they are 2-3 years old.

Baby Bengal tiger

Bengal tiger cubs breastfeed for the first 6 months of life and live independently when they are 2-3 years old

1.5. Food and hunting behavior
The Bengal tiger is a pure predator and is often mentioned for its fierce hunts. Their prey are medium or large sized animals such as wild boar, deer, antelope, gaur, water buffalo, Tibetan buffalo…

When they don’t have many options, they can attack small animals such as rabbits, monkeys, gray langurs, porcupines, peacocks… Notably, Bengal tigers can hunt other carnivores such as: leopard, sun bear, sloth bear, wolf, fox, Mugger crocodile…

The Bengal tiger is a pure carnivore

The Bengal tiger is a pure carnivore, specializing in hunting medium and large sized prey (Photo: collected)

2. Places to care for and preserve rare Bengal tigers in Vietnam
In Vietnam, you can visit and learn about the behavior of the rare Bengal tiger combined with a memorable travel itinerary at Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc and the River Safari subdivision of VinWonders Nam Hoi An:

2.1. Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc
Address: Bai Dai Area, Ganh Dau Ward, City. Phu Quoc, Kien Giang Province
Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is the first and largest semi-wild animal care and conservation park in Vietnam. The park spreads over a large area, adjacent to natural primeval forests and is home to thousands of wild animals from all over the world such as Bengal tigers, South African lions, and Asian elephants. Asia, rhinoceros, meerkat, ring-tailed lemur, royal python….

In particular, Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc also gives visitors interesting experiences with Bengal tiger feeding activities at 11:00 – 11:10 & 13:00 – 13:10 at the large Bengal tiger cage.