White Tigers and Lions
There are two very different beautiful big cats you don’t hear that much about: the white tiger and the white lion.
There are many beautiful big cats and some are more popular than others. We know of the most common ones such as: The tiger, lion, leopard and the cheetah of the big cat family. Down below is two very different beautiful big cats that we don’t hear that much about: the white tiger and the white lion. They are by far an awesome sight to behold.
White Tigers
White tigers (panthera tigris) are a very rare breed of tigers. They were first discovered back in the early 1900’s. They are not a subspecies or albino’s, contrary to popular belief, but are in fact, white colored Bengals. A white tiger can only be produced if both parents carry a recessive gene called the chinchilla gene. These genes are estimated to occur in every one in 10,000 births.
Physical Characteristics
White tigers are on average 3 meters long and weighs 400 to 600 pounds. Their fur is white with brown to black stripes, pink nose, pale blue eyes and pink paw pads.
All white tigers in captivity are at least part Bengal. However, white tigers bred in zoo’s will often lead to inbreeding. Wide spread inbreeding in zoo’s of white tigers will also lead to physical defects such as,cleft palates and scoliosis and crossed eyes.
Habitat and Location
White tigers are located in the forest areas of Asia and India. They reside mostly in thick grassy swamp areas where they are camouflaged by thick vegetation.
Hunting
Hunting white tigers is illegal but these beautiful animals are still highly sought and hunted by poachers, who will in return sell them for a small fortune. Tiger body parts are used for chines medicines, exotic recipes, jewelry and more.
Miscellaneous Facts
Tigers are slow runners, terrible climbers but excellent swimmers. It is estimated that there is only around 5,000 to 7,500 left in the wild today.
White Lions
White lions( panthero leo kruger) were rumored about for centuries but were finally discovered in 1947 by conservationist: Chris McBride. A litter containing two white cubs were discovered in South Africa at Timbavati Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park.
White lions are also not a separate subspecies or albino and are the result of the same recessive gene chinchilla, that causes the white tiger. They, like the white tiger, are only produced when two parents carrying the same gene are bred together.
Physical Characteristics
White lions weigh on average around 450 to 500 pounds. Males are big and slow, which is why the females do all the hunting. Their mane is white color as the rest of them and their eyes are lighter color. The females are much smaller than their male counter-parts.
Disadvantages for White Lions
Even though females do all the hunting their white coat makes it extremely hard for camouflage and are seen easily by prey. White lion cubs are easily noticeable; their light color making it difficult to conceal them from predators like: buffalo, hyena, wild jackals, elephants and other big cats.
Location
Whit lions are known to exist in France, Africa and the UK. It is not known how many exist today. However, they are among the most endangered species.
Soon, no-more will these beautiful big cats roam wild and free they will become lost to civilization because of poaching or death and deformity caused by inbreeding. Today white lions are almost extinct, while white tigers are either hunted or held in captivity for show. Besides the zoo, some also remain on reserves.
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56 Responses to “White Tigers and Lions”
On February 19, 2009 at 8:08 am
Interesting article & beautiful pics.
Thanks,
Clay
On February 19, 2009 at 8:18 am
It would be such a shame to lose these beautiful animals. A very interesting article Debra. Well done.
Christine
On February 19, 2009 at 8:38 am
very beautiful pics
On February 19, 2009 at 9:05 am
Wow! That’s lovely and very good. I love your illustrations!
On February 19, 2009 at 9:14 am
White lions and tigers are beautiful. They’re also sold at very high price due to their scarcity.
On February 19, 2009 at 9:19 am
Beautiful animals
On February 19, 2009 at 9:34 am
Never saw a white lion before. Stunning, really.
Grant
On February 19, 2009 at 9:35 am
Nice article and pictures. Amazing animals.
On February 19, 2009 at 9:38 am
wow—i will go to India to hunt seeing these white tigers..they look so huggable!
On February 19, 2009 at 9:56 am
hi debra,
I liked this article extremely,I have also written a poem on the white lions named “The king of Kings” which I plan to post in the near future.And yes from the land of India I cordially welcome you all to to come and visit our national animal.
On February 19, 2009 at 10:00 am
Such beautiful, majestic cats. It will be such a shame when no more exist.
Thanks for sharing with us today.
On February 19, 2009 at 10:04 am
wow.. I`ve heard of them before but seeing them in pics is quite awesome.. great share.
On February 19, 2009 at 11:11 am
Great article . The pictures were beautiful because I have never seen a white lion before and they are stunning. Great write Debra….
On February 19, 2009 at 11:26 am
Great and informatived article on these cats.
On February 19, 2009 at 11:33 am
Lovely! I have blogged this..
http://www.webphemera.com/2009/02/white-tigers-and-lions.html
Hope it helps increase the hits!
On February 19, 2009 at 11:34 am
How sad that these majestic animals face extinction. Great article with beautiful pictures.
On February 19, 2009 at 11:37 am
These are beautiful animals, what a shame they are so hunted, I didn’t even realise there were white lions. Thanks for a great article Debra.
On February 19, 2009 at 11:40 am
Great article! Beautiful pics! My heart goes out to these awesome creatures.
On February 19, 2009 at 11:47 am
Very interesting article with some nice pictures
On February 19, 2009 at 11:57 am
Interesting and informative. Very well done.
On February 19, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I absolutely love white tigers and white lions!!!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On February 19, 2009 at 12:37 pm
These are magnificent animals! Beautiful and wonderful..Great article Debra!!
On February 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
they are amazing, i always that that it was the gene that made them albino but its not, and i never knew there was albino lions, never seen a picture of one before.
nice article.
On February 19, 2009 at 3:21 pm
wat rare and beautiful animals did not know about the lions u learn something new every day …..at least u would see them coming lol another great written piece from my mate debs .. put the razer away lol …
On February 19, 2009 at 3:26 pm
here kitty kitty
On February 19, 2009 at 3:35 pm
nice work debra liked the pictures to I love big cats good job
On February 19, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Deb,excellent article and those cubs sure looked cute,I too had never seen or even heard of this before.Very cool info and very cool write.Thanks for mentioning it to me.
On February 19, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Beautiful animals and great article.
On February 19, 2009 at 6:09 pm
SCary but beautiful mammals
On February 19, 2009 at 6:19 pm
These are beautiful animals.
On February 19, 2009 at 7:32 pm
They are so noble in appearance, even majestic. great job and it will be tragic if we lose them all.
AC
On February 19, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I really enjoyed this article, yes this cats are too gorgeous to not be protected, awesome write
On February 19, 2009 at 9:11 pm
The white tigers are the most unusual and the most beautiful.
On February 19, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Very amusing animals
On February 19, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Such beautiful animals!
Great work Debra.
On February 20, 2009 at 12:42 am
Gorgeous! Great article!
On February 20, 2009 at 1:08 am
Definately a terrific article
I love tigers so this was a great piece to read
love the pictures as well, very complimenting
On February 20, 2009 at 1:38 am
Wonderful tribute.
Inna
On February 20, 2009 at 4:41 am
Great article, it is informative, beautiful and sad.
On February 20, 2009 at 7:00 am
Nice tribute! great article and beautiful pics.
On February 20, 2009 at 7:19 am
BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS!
On February 20, 2009 at 2:24 pm
you’re doing great Debbie,keep it up
On February 20, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Very interesting.I had just seen the white lions on CHAN LEE PENG posts. Had no idea white tigers existed. Thanks for sharing.
On February 21, 2009 at 7:32 am
poor kitty….they are now endangered. nice post!
On February 21, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Very well researched piece. I have seen white tigers in Indian zoos and their magnificence has left an indelible mark on me…
On April 2, 2009 at 11:30 am
Great post, Deb, thanks for sharing.They look majestic!
On April 2, 2009 at 8:08 pm
great article and such insight into these rare and beautiful creatures.
On May 24, 2009 at 6:35 am
Nice article and pictures. Amazing animals.
On May 25, 2009 at 11:59 am
just another miracle of mother nature….what a pity..for them to be extinct soon
On May 30, 2009 at 11:23 am
These are some amazing and beautiful animals.
On June 18, 2009 at 2:35 am
Great article & pics!
On June 18, 2009 at 5:48 am
This is a wonderful article Deb. The white tiger has been a favorite of mine for some time. Lots of information in this article. Well done my friend.
Marie
On June 18, 2009 at 6:46 am
Great article. Beautiful animals!
On June 18, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Beautiful diversity in the animal kingdom.,Great article.
On June 18, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Great post!!..very interesting article about white tigers and lions..very informative too..nice pics collection..I LIKED it..Thanks for sharing this wonderful work.
On June 24, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Excellent article and well researched. I loved the photos too!
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