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Are white tigers and tigers the same?
White Tigers are also known as white Bengal tigers. They are not albino nor a sub-species of tiger but actually are Bengal tigers with a genetic defect that expresses a different color. White tigers lack the pigment called pheomelanin, which is found in Bengal tigers with orange fur.
Do white tigers give birth to white tigers?
When bred together, only one cub from the litter will be white (tt). Furthermore, white tiger mothers do not always give birth to white cubs. For this reason, white tigers are exceedingly rare. So why are there nearly 200 white tigers in captivity today?
What are white tigers related to?
Despite what some may say, they are not a separate species or albino, white tigers are simply Bengal tigers. White tigers occur when two Bengal tigers that carry a recessive gene controlling coat color are bred together.
Are Golden tigers real?
A golden tiger, sometimes called a golden tabby tiger or strawberry tiger, is a tiger with a colour variation caused by a recessive gene. Like white tigers and black tigers, it is a colour form and not a separate subspecies.
Why are there white tigers in the wild?
White tigers in captivity exist due to inbreeding The white tiger is a result of a rare genetic mutation and the most efficient way to breed them is by using two tigers who have the recessive genes needed to produce offspring with a white coat. In captive breeding facilities these two individuals are often related, making inbreeding common.
How many tigers are born with white fur?
They’re simply tigers that are born with white fur. White fur is a very rare genetic mutation. It occurs in the wild possibly in as few as 1 in 10,000 wild tiger births. Normal tiger behavior in the wild prevents the kind of inbreeding that would be necessary to produce white cubs.
What kind of diet does a white tiger have?
Diet Like the common Bengal tiger, the white tiger is a carnivorous hunter. They rest during the day and do the majority of their hunting and feeding at night. They have keen eyesight and incredible hearing that helps them stalk their prey in the dark.
What makes a white tiger different from a Bengal tiger?
The white tiger’s face is similar in shape to that of other Bengal tigers. They are only different in the color of their fur. White tigers have sapphire blue eyes rather than the green or yellow-colored eyes of normal Bengal tigers, which makes them look exotic. Their nose is rose-pink and they also have pink paw pads.