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10 Amazing Facts about White Tigers

White tigers are the true definition of beauty in the animal kingdom with their stunning appearance ad unique characteristics. They are the queens of the jungle in terms of beauty because of their white spotless fur. White tigers are scientifically referred to as Panthera Tigris and belong to the species of Bengal tigers. These rare and unique animals have become a global thing as they have captured the attention of people around the world who wish to see them. White tigers are different from their orange counterparts, not just because of their color but for their physical and biological uniqueness. Knowing a white tiger from the rest is easy because of its spotless white fur, piercing blue eyes, and huge body size. However, being unique and beautiful has not played well for these rare species of tigers. They are few around the world, majorly in zoos and people’s homes because they cannot survive a day in the jungle. They are so conspicuous which makes them a target and would be killed before dawn. Note that white tigers are not just unique from the outside. They have a unique genetic makeup, a different origin from the rest of the park, and are sometimes cultural representations in some places. Read on to find out the fascinating facts about white tigers.

The following are some of the ten amazing facts about white tigers:

1. White Tigers are Extremely Rare Species

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There is a very small number of white tigers in the world. Their number is associated with the fact that they cannot survive in the wild because of their unique characteristics. They are born from tiger parents that possess the genes for white fur. The probability of a tiger having these genes is less than one percent. However, despite the white tigers being born once in ten thousand births, their chances of surviving in the wild are very low. Their unique color makes them prime targets for predators and are not able to hunt because they cannot camouflage. Their scarcity has led to deliberate breeding to make more white tigers.

Also see: 15 Roaring Facts about Tigers

2. The White Tiger is an Indigenous Animal to the People and Culture of India 

The first white tiger is believed to have been spotted in India in the early 1560s. The animal was young and would be taken to a zoo and cared for by the locals. The white tiger was given the name Mohan and became an important aspect of the culture and people. Mohan would be used to breed more white tigers in India and across the world becoming the patron of white tigers in the world.

3. They Lack the Pigment Pheomelanin which is Responsible for the orange Color

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White tigers have black stripes just like the other types of tigers. The black stripes are unique for every single animal as they are like fingerprints on human beings. The difference between white tigers and orange tigers is the white color. White tigers lack the Pheomelanin pigment which is responsible for colors ranging from yellow to red thus appearing in orange tigers. Genetic mutation, however, can cause some of the white tigers to be completely white without a black spot.

4. White Tigers Grow faster than their Orange Counterparts 

White tigers are known to grow faster than ordinary orange Bengal tigers. They are big at birth and continue with the same growth rate to become fully grown adults. These rare animals grow up to more than three meters high and would weigh more than five hundred pounds. A white tiger is fully grown at two years, which is way faster than the other types of tigers.

5. White Tigers  Can Consume more Than Forty Pounds of Meat in one Seating

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There is no difference in the food chain between white tigers and their counterparts because they all belong to carnivores. Just like other tigers, white tigers hunt and, kill and eat other animals in the wild. They have sharp claws and strong legs for running. However, their huge body sizes make them different because they consume more than ordinary tigers. They can eat more than forty pounds of meat in a single sitting.

6. There are almost Zero White Tigers in the Wild Today 

The number of tigers in the world today ranges between four thousand to five thousand. However, it is unlikely that any of these animals is a white tiger. Their inability to survive in the jungle has made the white tigers a target for zookeepers around the world. Therefore more white tigers are found in people’s homes and zoos than in the wild. The last white tiger to be spotted in the world was more than half a century ago.

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7. White Tigers have Blue Eyes that are Crossed

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While the rest of the tigers have yellow eyes, white tigers have blue-piercing eyes. Blue eyes are linked to the genes that make white skin. However, the eyes are also crossed, unlike the upright eyes of other tigers. Scientific research shows that the whiter tiger’s optic nerves are wired to the wrong side of the brain making the eyes appear abnormally. White tigers cannot see clearly which makes them human targets to be kept in the zoos and for tiger performances.

8. Extremely Cold Temperatures Can Cause the Whiter Tigers to Turn Darker

White tigers are among the three species of animals that turn darker when exposed to the cold. Together with Siamese cats and Himalayan rabbits, white tigers possess a unique enzyme that causes a reaction in their skin causing their fur to become darker when exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Therefore there are no white tigers in the Arctic region whatsoever.

9. The Life Expectancy of White Tigers is higher than Orange Ordinary Tigers

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Tigers have a life expectancy of less than twenty years. However, while ordinary orange tigers can only live for ten years or less, white tigers live for at least fifteen years. One reason for their longer life is because they stay in hiding where they are unlikely to be killed by other animals. However, most white tigers are kept in the zoo and cared for by people which makes them live longer than ordinary Bengal tigers.

10. White Tigers are Solitary and Known to be Loners 

White tigers are territorial animals and they like being alone, hunting, and eating in their space. They also need a bigger space compared to ordinary tigers. Whiter tigers live in more than twenty square miles where they hunt and roam. The bigger space helps them to spot prey and predators.

Truly, if the king of the jungle was to be identified by beauty and splendor, the white tigers would rule the jungle forever. These beautiful animals have been a scene to recon for many years after being discovered in India a few centuries ago. White tigers can leave a mark wherever they go, including inside human hearts and imaginations. They leave a lasting impression on our collective imagination due to a rare genetic abnormality that results in their magnificent white coat and their role as ambassadors for tiger conservation. However, their unique characteristic comes with a prize to pay. White tigers are rare because they cannot survive in the jungle. They are easily spotted by their prey making it hard for them to hunt. Furthermore, predators see them from afar and kill them. The zookeepers have taken the initiative to make these beautiful animals part of the home family making the white tiger population increase in homes. Nonetheless, white tigers are some of the most amazing things you would see among all animals.