The Malayan tiger is the national animal of Malaysia which inhabits mainly in the Malay Peninsula. The Malayan tiger is biologically known as Panthera tigris jacksoni and it is very much close to the Indochinese tiger in characteristics. In 2004, the Malayan tiger was declared a separate species from the Indochinese tiger. The Malayan Tiger is one of the smallest tigers of all of the subspecies and the average length of a male Malayan tiger is 8 ft 6 in (259 cm), and of a female Malayan tiger is 7 ft 10 in (239 cm). The males reach about 235 centimeters from head to tail, while females are approximately two meters long.
The natural habitat of the Malayan tiger; the Malay Peninsula is located in the southern tip of Thailand and the Malaysian Peninsular. The Malay Peninsula comprises of small and dense forests and abandoned agricultural lands. Being a carnivore and a powerful tiger species, the Malayan tiger usually prey large mammals like wild boars, deer and wild goats.
A Malayan tigress sitting after a nap - Image by Al Notter
The average age of the Malayan Tiger is about 15 years in the ideal circumstances. The gestation period in a Malayan tigress is of about 3.5 months and she gives birth to three or four cubs. The males are solitary creatures, and will not usually be found hunting or living in packs. The cubs remain under the shelter of their mother till the age of 18 months old and after that they will break away and live independently.
Cute Malayan tiger cubs playing together - Image: Karl Drilling
Habitat destruction and poaching are the main enemies of the Malayan tiger; the national animal of Malaysia. The commercial plantations have resulted in more frequent encounters between tigers and livestock. The local people also kill the Malayan tiger to safeguard their cattle and their number in Malaysia is reached to an alarming stage.