ANIMALS OF DIFFERENT STRIPES

The Siberian and Bengal tigers are two of the most well-known types of tigers. These tigers are very
similar, in fact they come from the same species, but they do have some important differences.
These similarities and differences, while interesting to note, are vital pieces of information for the
people in charge of the conservation of endangered species of tigers. Wildlife conservationists have
to tell the difference between the two in order to keep accurate counts of the respective populations.
The first main difference between the two tigers is the location of their habitats. The Siberian tiger
today lives only in the far northeast part of Russia called Siberia, although it used to live as far west
as western Asia and as far east as parts of Alaska. One of the main reasons Siberian tigers do not
live in China anymore is due to widespread illegal hunting there in the past. Bengal tigers live in a
warmer, more southern climate. They reside mostly in India, but also in Bangladesh, Nepal and
Bhutan. Bengal tigers are the most numerous of all tigers, with approximately 1800 living in the wild
worldwide. Siberian tigers, conversely, number only about 200-300 in their natural habitats.
Both tigers are extremely popular zoo exhibits, which further contributes to the low numbers of both,
especially the Siberian tiger. There have been efforts to breed Siberian tigers in captivity, and many
of these efforts have been successful; however, the offspring are unfit to live in the wild. At the very
least, these efforts allow zoos to maintain their exhibits without taking even more tigers out of the
wild population.
Siberian tigers, on average, are larger than Bengals. The average weight of a Bengal male is about
220 kilograms, while the weight of a Siberian averages slightly heavier. Amazingly, Siberian tigers
can be as large as 320 kilograms! The lengths of these animals are also different. On average, male
Siberian tigers have a nose-to-tail length of three metres, while the Bengals length is slightly shorter.
Their tail lengths, interestingly, are the same, averaging about one metre. One notable observation is
that the farther north in the Bengal tigers habitat, the larger the animals get. The average weight of a
tiger in northern India is about 15kg more than ones in southern India, where the average recorded
weight is 220kg.
Another clear difference between the two tigers is the seasonal growth of a winter coat for the
Siberian tiger. Since they live in northern Russia, which is an unforgiving climate in the winter, the
ability to endure temperatures well below freezing is essential for survival. Unlike the Bengal tiger,
which lives in more equatorial climates around India, where the temperatures are more or less the
same year-round, the Siberian lives in a climate where the temperature can vary more than fifty
degrees Celsius. Because of this, Siberians grow longer fur in the winter. For example, the fur on the
Siberians back in the summer measures about 16mm, while in winter this length almost triples. The
Bengal tiger has no need for such a long winter coat.
The two tigers share many similarities, including diet and reproduction. Being carnivorous, other

animals are the food supply for both. The types of animals hunted are various due to the different
regions that are home to these tigers. Bengals eat animals such as wild boar, water buffalo and
chital, while Siberian tigers eat primarily wild boar, deer and moose. Bengals and Siberians have
very similar reproduction cycles. Both tigers reach maturity around four years of age, at which time
they begin their mating rituals. The females are pregnant for about 15 weeks and give birth to
between one and four cubs. Each of these cubs weighs about a kilogram, and will be entirely
dependant on their mother for the first six months of life. After that time, they begin their learning
process, where they develop the skills they need to hunt and kill for survival. After two or three years,
the cubs are ready to leave their mother and hunt independently, and at the age of four or five, they
reach sexual maturity and so the cycle continues.
One last difference between the two tigers is a significant one, especially for humans. Neither tiger
hunts humans as part of their normal diet, but one of the two tigers is known to be a man-eater. The
Bengal tiger, under the right circumstances, will eat humans. Bengals will attack humans in two
cases. First, they will attack humans who interfere with the Bengals hunting or feeding, Bengal
mothers do not take kindly to people when they are feeding their cubs. Also, older Bengals will kill
humans for food, because humans are easy to eat, unlike wild boar for example. Human skin is soft
and fleshy, perfect for an old tiger with weak muscles and worn down teeth. Siberians, however, will
generally not attack humans, unless they feel threatened. As such, records show that Bengal attacks
are far more common than Siberian attacks

Questions 14-18
Classify the following facts as applying to
A Bengal Tigers
B Siberian Tigers
Write the correct letter, A or B, in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.
14 Lives further from the equator
15 Has a significantly higher population
16 Exhibits large size fluctuations depending on geography
17 Grows no additional fur during different seasons
18 Lives in a climate with large temperature fluctuations

Questions 19-23
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 1?
In boxes 19-23 on your answer sheet, write
YES

if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO

if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN

if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

19 Both animals are primarily meat eaters.

20 The gestation period for females is about four years.
21 Young tigers need their mother for survival during their first half year.
22 Killing is a rite of passage which shows a cub is ready to leave its mother.
23 If a mother gives birth to 1-4 cubs, it is common for one not to live past six months.
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