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Are white tigers naturally white?
The truth is that white tigers are the product of a rare but naturally occurring genetic variant within the wild Bengal population. That’s what makes the white tiger white.
Why are white tigers rare?
The white tiger is produced by a genetic fluke that occurs when two orange tigers with rare recessive forms of a gene, called alleles, happen to breed. White tigers are so rare in the wild that they have been seen only a few times in recorded history, with the last known wild white tiger killed in 1958.
What is wrong with white tigers?
White tigers suffer from numerous health problems associated with inbreeding and hybridization such as immune deficiency, scoliosis of the spine, hip dysplasia, cleft palates, neurological disorders, teeth growing in all different directions, and protruding, bulging eyes.
Are white tigers genetically modified?
White tigers are not a species. They are the result of a recessive gene. Breeding white tigers involves inbreeding individuals and often results in terrible genetics problems. It is a cruel myth perpetuated by a cynical grab for the green dollar and the entertainment dollar.
Are white tigers Bengal or Siberian?
White tigers are Bengal tigers. They’re not albino or their own separate species, as many people think. White tigers occur when two Bengal tigers that carry a recessive gene controlling coat color are bred together.
What are some interesting facts about white tigers?
Interesting Facts. All white tigers have blue eyes. Of the 5,000 – 7,400 tigers left, 200 are white tigers. They are good swimmers. Night vision is 6x better than a humans. In the last 100 years, only 12 white tigers have been spotted in the wild. The last seen white tiger in the wild was in 1959.
Why are white tigers an endangered species?
White Bengal tigers have also been crossed with Siberian tigers to produce a larger specimen which in turn causes even more genetic problems. For years, breeders and exhibitors have been using the excuse that white tigers are an endangered species so they need to keep breeding them.
Why are the White Tigers nearly extinct?
The tigers are also not reproducing to that extent and hence, they are not growing in numbers. That is one more reason why tiger, including white tigers, are approaching extinction fast. As the white tiger is rare tiger, whenever it is found in the wild, it will be hunted for its pelt .
Why do white tigers look that way?
ALL white tigers are cross eyed , whether it shows or not, because the gene that causes the white coat always causes the optic nerve to be wired to the wrong side of the brain. That is why white tigers are such a favorite of the tiger-tamer-wanabees; they are far more dependent upon their masters.