Tigers are fascinating creatures, known for their powerful builds, striking striped fur, and predatory skills. They're the largest cat species globally, with adult males weighing up to 660 pounds. Their fur color varies from orange to brown, marked with black stripes, serving as camouflage. Tigers are solitary and territorial animals, often requiring large areas of habitat to support their prey needs, including deer, wild boar, and other large mammals.

They're native to various parts of Asia but have lost over 93% of their historical range due to habitat destruction, poaching, and conflicts with humans. This has led to a significant decline in their population, categorizing most tiger subspecies as endangered.

Tigers have unique features like retractable claws and powerful jaws with sharp teeth, making them effective hunters. They're known for their ability to swim and can cover several kilometers to hunt or find suitable habitat.

Conservation efforts for tigers include anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and initiatives to reduce human-tiger conflicts. Successful conservation examples include India's Project Tiger, which has contributed to a gradual increase in the tiger population within the country.

There are several subspecies of tigers, including the Bengal, Siberian (Amur), Sumatran, and Indochinese tigers, each adapted to their specific environment. The white tiger, often seen in captivity, is not a separate subspecies but rather a genetic variation of the Bengal tiger.

Tigers communicate through vocalizations, scent marks, and visual signals. They have a varied repertoire of sounds and use their whiskers and body language for close-range communication, especially between a mother and her cubs or during mating rituals.