South China Tiger by Angela
A very big cat with very big paws is the last known survivor of the species of tiger. It has sharp claws and a very large jaw. It lives in South China, not North Carolina. Please help save the tiger. Please help save it now, before it gets poached… extinct… a ghost…
Introduction What’s orange, white, and has black stripes? It’s the South China Tiger, of course! South China Tigers, also known as Amoy, were endangered in 1996 with only about 20 left in the wild. The South China Tiger is counted in the top ten on the list of endangered animals. It is also the most critically endangered species of tiger. No official or biologist has seen the tiger since the early 1970s. Perhaps, it is already extinct in the wild. This report will tell you more about why it’s endangered. It will also tell you the appearances, diet, and about their reproduction. Habitats and Appearances The South China Tiger is found in the upland forests of China. It is one of the smallest species of tigers. The males are about eight feet long or 2.6 meters, and weigh about 330 pounds. Females are only slightly smaller in length and weigh about 240 pounds. The South China Tigers can move through the dense jungle of China easily. This tiger is strong and is often able to catch its prey when it’s in the water. Reproduction The South China Tiger gives birth after a gestation period of three to four months. A female South China Tiger can give birth to up to five cubs. Newborns weigh around one kilogram. During this period, they are blind and helpless. The mother tiger gives them milk for about two months and then they’re introduced to meat. The baby tiger depends on the mother tiger for the first 18 months, then they are on their own and have to hunt for their own food. Diet The South China Tiger is a carnivore. This animal eats monkeys, birds, deer and other small mammals. Here is how it hunts: First, the tiger stalks it’s prey. Then, the tiger pounces on it and breaks its neck with a fast bite. Once the prey is captured,
the tiger drags its prey to a deserted spot and eats it. The South China Tiger can eat 15-40 kilograms of meat. Why Endangered? The South China Tiger is endangered because of poaching and killing. Tiger’s bones and other body parts are still used in traditional Chinese medicine, so the animals are killed. Poor tigers. Another reason that the South China Tiger is endangered is because the tiger pelts are used to make stylish fur coats for the rich. Also, the human population is increasing, so there is a need for more farmland to feed people. The forest habitats of the tigers are being destroyed to make way for the farms. How You Can Help In conclusion, I think that helping the tiger and preventing them from becoming extinct is really important. Take action! One way you can help is by speaking up for the tigers. Let other people know about the animal so more people can help. Make a gift. Donate money to conservation centers to help. Another way that you can help the South China Tiger is by encouraging people to prevent poaching and killing the tigers.
Bibliography http://www.tigers.org.za/south-china-tiger.html http://a-z-animals.com/animals/south-china-tiger/ http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/south-china-tiger http://www.arkive.org/tiger/panthera-tigris/image-G112085