White tigers are a sight to see. Because they are so rare, they are very expensive. The profit margin revolving around the white tigers can raise brows as to whether the attempts made to ‘conserve’ them have no hidden agenda.
White tigers are not albinos.
Contrary to popular belief, white tigers are not albino. The white fur is the result of defective pigment cells called leucism. When both the male tiger and the female tiger have this recessive gene, then there becomes a possibility of a cub having white fur.
But this is so rare, that humans have started selectively breeding them for animal sanctuaries and exotic pet shops.
White tigers are relatively unhealthy.
White tigers look like normal tigers with just different fur colors, but unfortunately for them, white tigers do not have the same immunity system. Most of the white tigers we see in zoos and sanctuaries have been bred selectively.
Because there are so few white tigers in nature, most of these white tigers that humans have bred are inbred. This is why they are prone to sickness and have a shorter lifespan as compared to normal tigers.
White tigers are not endangered, they are rare.
What is endangered? Endangered is the term used to describe a species that is not doing well and is not on the verge of extinction. White tigers are not a separate species, they’re Bengal tigers or Siberian tigers with a rare defect in pigment cells called leucism.
The probability of this happening naturally is very low. This is why, most of the white tigers you see have been selectively bred. This is not the best
White tigers will have low chances of survival in the wild.
With all of the awareness and campaigns about white tigers, it may confuse us that they’re supposed to exist naturally in the wild. While a single anomaly is acceptable, tigers are not supposed to be white.
This is because they are predatory animals and need to camouflage with their surroundings to hunt. Their fur makes them stand out and makes their prey alert.
The hunters also easily spot them, which could prove to be fatal. So, it is not necessary to try and create an entire subspecies purely for our amusement when they would have a hard in their natural habitat with white fur.
White tigers have been bred for profit.
This may not come off as a surprise but, white tigers are also bred for profit. They are expensive because of how rare they are. This is why people breed them and most of the white tigers we see are a result of inbreeding.
In-bred white tigers are not healthy. They have many health issues and a shorter life span.
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Conclusion
We need to protect and conserve the white tigers in the wild. They need our help because it is difficult for them to hunt. And they are also an easy target for greedy hunters.
We also need to be aware of the unnecessary breeding. Not all the white tigers we see were bred for conservation.
FAQs
1. Do white tigers live in Asia?
Yes, white tigers were initially spotted in Asia.
2. Which country is famous for the white tiger?
India and China are famous for white tigers.
3. Do grey tigers exist?
Sadly, grey tigers have gone extinct. They were also known as the Caspian Tigers.
4. Are white tigers Albinos?
No, white tigers are not albinos. Their condition is the result of defective pigment cells.
5. What do white tigers eat?
White tigers are carnivores and eat other animals like the normal orange tiger.
6. Are Serbian tigers white?
No, not all Serbian tigers are not white. But there are some Serbian tigers.