The Evolution and Adaptation of Tigers Tigers, with their iconic orange fur and black stripes, have evolved into six subspecies over two million years. The Bengal tiger is the most numerous, making up about 50% of the global population. As the world's largest cats, tigers can weigh up to 660 pounds due to their powerful muscles; they also possess webbed toes for swimming. White tigers are a type of Bengal tiger with a gene mutation preventing orange pigmentation.
Conservation Efforts Amidst Declining Populations At the turn of the 20th century, around 100,000 tigers roamed from Turkey to Russia but deforestation and poaching reduced this by approximately 96%. Today fewer than 4,000 remain in the wild. Conservation programs aim to protect these majestic creatures and restore their habitats in hopes that populations will slowly rebound.