<P> In 2015, morphological, ecological and molecular traits of all putative tiger subspecies were analysed in a combined approach . Results support distinction of the two evolutionary groups continental and Sunda tigers . The authors proposed recognition of only two subspecies, namely P. t . tigris comprising the Bengal, Malayan, Indochinese, South Chinese, Siberian and Caspian tiger populations, and P. t . sondaica comprising the Javan, Bali and Sumatran tiger populations . The authors also noted that this reclassification will affect tiger conservation management . One conservation specialist welcomed this proposal as it would make captive breeding programmes and future rewilding of zoo - born tigers easier . One geneticist was sceptical of this study and maintained that the currently recognised nine subspecies can be distinguished genetically . </P> <P> In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group revised felid taxonomy and now recognizes the tiger populations in continental Asia as P. t . tigris, and those in the Sunda Islands as P. t . sondaica . At present, the ITIS and Catalogue of Life still recognise eight subspecies . </P> <P> The following table is based on the classification of the species Panthera tigris provided in Mammal Species of the World . It also reflects the classification used by the Cat Classification Task Force: </P> <Table> Non-insular Asia <Tr> <Th> Subspecies </Th> <Th> Description </Th> <Th> Image </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bengal tiger (P. t . tigris) (Linnaeus, 1758) </Td> <Td> The Bengal tiger's coat colour varies from light yellow to reddish yellow with black stripes . Males attain a total nose - to - tail length of 270 to 310 cm (110 to 120 in) and weigh between 180 to 258 kg (397 to 569 lb), while females range from 240 to 265 cm (94 to 104 in) and 100 to 160 kg (220 to 350 lb). In northern India and Nepal, the average is larger; males weigh up to 235 kilograms (518 lb), while females average 140 kilograms (310 lb). Recorded body weights of wild individuals indicate that it is the heaviest subspecies . <P> This population occurs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, foremost in alluvial grasslands, subtropical and tropical rainforests, scrub forests, wet and dry deciduous forests and mangrove habitats . It is extinct in Pakistan . In 2014, the population in India was estimated at 2,226 mature individuals, 163--253 in Nepal and 103 in Bhutan . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Caspian tiger (P. t . tigris), formerly P. t . virgata (Illiger, 1815) </Td> <Td> The Caspian tiger was described as having narrow and closely set stripes . The size of its skull did not differ significantly from that of the Bengal tiger . According to genetic analysis, it was closely related to the Siberian tiger . <P> The population inhabited forests and riverine corridors south and east of the Black and Caspian Seas, from Eastern Anatolia into Central Asia, along the coast of the Aral Sea and the southern shore of Lake Balkhash to the Altai Mountains . It had been recorded in the wild until the early 1970s and is considered extinct since the late 20th century . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Siberian tiger (P. t . tigris), formerly P. t . altaica (Temminck, 1844) </Td> <Td> The Siberian tiger has a thick coat with pale hues and few dark brown stripes . Males have a head and body length of between 190 and 230 cm (75 and 91 in) and weigh between 180 and 306 kg (397 and 675 lb), while females average 160 to 180 cm (63 to 71 in) and 100 to 167 kg (220 to 368 lb). Tail length is about 60--110 cm (24--43 in). <P> This population inhabits the Amur - Ussuri region of Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai in far eastern Siberia, with a small population in Hunchun National Siberian Tiger Nature Reserve in northeastern China near the border to North Korea . It is extinct in Mongolia, North Korea, and South Korea . In 2005, there were 331--393 adult and subadult Siberian tigers in the region, with a breeding adult population of about 250 individuals . As of 2015, there was an estimated population of 480 - 540 individuals in the Russian Far East . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indochinese tiger (P. t . tigris), formerly P. t . corbetti Mazák, 1968 </Td> <Td> The Indochinese tiger was described as being smaller than the Bengal tiger and as having a smaller skull . Males average 108 inches (270 cm) in total length and weigh between 150 and 195 kg (331 and 430 lb), while females average 96 inches (240 cm) and 100--130 kg (220--290 lb). <P> This population occurs in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, but has not been recorded in Vietnam since 1997 . In 2010, the population in Indochina was estimated at about 350 individuals . In Southeast Asia, tiger populations have declined in key areas and are threatened by illegal production of tiger bone for use in traditional medicine . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Malayan tiger (P. t . tigris), formerly P. t . jacksoni Luo et al., 2004 </Td> <Td> There is no clear difference between the Malayan and the Indochinese tiger in pelage or skull size . It was proposed as a distinct subspecies on the basis of mtDNA and micro-satellite sequences that differs from the Indochinese tiger . <P> Males range in total length from 190--280 cm (75--110 in) and weigh between 47.2 to 129.1 kg (104 to 285 lb), while females range from 180--260 cm (71--102 in) and 24 to 88 kg (53 to 194 lb). </P> <P> The population was roughly estimated at 250 to 340 adult individuals in 2013, and likely comprised less than 200 mature breeding individuals at the time . The geographic division between Malayan and Indochinese tigers is unclear as tiger populations in northern Malaysia are contiguous with those in southern Thailand . In Singapore the last tiger was shot in 1932; tigers are considered extirpated since the 1950s . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South China tiger (P. t . tigris), formerly P. t . amoyensis (Hilzheimer, 1905) </Td> <Td> The South China tiger is considered to be the most ancient of the tiger subspecies and is distinguished by a particularly narrow skull, long - muzzled nose, rhombus - like stripes and vivid orange colour . Males range in total length from 230--260 cm (91--102 in) and weigh between 130 to 180 kg (290 to 400 lb), while females range from 220--240 cm (87--94 in) and 100 to 110 kg (220 to 240 lb). <P> The population is extinct in the wild . Despite unconfirmed reports and some evidence of footprints, there has been no confirmed sighting in China since the early 1970s . As of 2007, the captive population consisted of 73 individuals, which derived from six wild founders . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Where do tigers live in the wild map