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Sumatran Tiger
Scientific namePanthera tigris sumatrae
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered
The Sumatran Tiger is the smallest of the Tiger species. Only found in Sumatra, there are less than 400 left in the wild. Taronga is serious about protecting this incredible species and their habitat.
Sydney
Dubbo
Visitor tips for Sydney
Sumatran Tigers can be seen in Tiger Trek. The best time to spot these animals is during the morning and cooler weather.
Fun facts about Sumatran Tigers
We bet you didn't know these facts about these amazing big cats.
Scroll across and tap the icons to reveal info on Sumatran Tigers.
Sticking with mum
A litter of tiger cubs is raised by the mother for up to two years, with no involvement from the father.
Built-in protection
White eyespots called Ocelli fool predators, protecting tiger cubs.
Paws made for paddling
Tigers are excellent swimmers, aided by partially webbed paws.
One-of-a-kind stripes
Each tiger’s stripes are unique. Their skin also bears this pattern.
Designed for disguise
Their fur is darker and stripes more closely spaced than other tigers, aiding jungle camouflage.
Did you know?
15yrs
Tigers can live between 10-15 years in the wild, and 16-20 years in Zoos.
Where they live
Undisturbed lowland tropical forests, peat swamps, freshwater swamps and forests
120kg
Sumatran Tigers can weigh up to 120kg for males and 90kg for females!
What they eat
Deer, wild pig, jungle fowl and fish
Where they're found
Sumatra island in Indonesia
2.8m
Sumatran Tigers can be from 1.4m-2.8m long
Their mating life
Adult male and female tigers only come together to breed. A mother raises her cubs for about 18–24 months.
20hrs
Sumatran Tigers can sleep up to 20 hours per day.
15yrs
Tigers can live between 10-15 years in the wild, and 16-20 years in Zoos.
Where they live
Undisturbed lowland tropical forests, peat swamps, freshwater swamps and forests
120kg
Sumatran Tigers can weigh up to 120kg for males and 90kg for females!
What they eat
Deer, wild pig, jungle fowl and fish
Where they're found
Sumatra island in Indonesia
2.8m
Sumatran Tigers can be from 1.4m-2.8m long
Their mating life
Adult male and female tigers only come together to breed. A mother raises her cubs for about 18–24 months.
20hrs
Sumatran Tigers can sleep up to 20 hours per day.
Sumatran Tiger deep dive
Discover more about what makes these tigers so terrific.
Sumatran Tigers generally hunt at dusk and can travel up to 20km in a night searching for food. Unlike other members of the cat family, the tiger cannot outrun its prey and needs to use camouflage to ambush a meal instead. This hunting method is slow and patient, stalking through dense cover until close enough to spring. They will run hoofed prey into water to slow them down. A throat bite is used, and death is caused by suffocation.
Tigers are solitary and highly territorial, with overlapping territories that can span hundreds of kilometres. They scratch trees and spray urine to scent mark this territory, releasing unique pheromones that communicate information like age and sex to other tigers.
All tigers belong to a single species, recognised historically as nine subspecies based on physical traits and geography. Today some scientists recognise just two subspecies, based on genetic analysis:
- Mainland Asian Tigers, including the Bengal, Siberian and Indochinese tigers
- Sunda Island Tigers, comprising the Sumatran tiger and the extinct Balinese and Javan tigers
Regardless of how they are classified, Sumatra’s tigers stand out as the most genetically distinct and ecologically unique of all tiger populations.
Species management programs
Taronga contributes to an Australasian Species Management Program and/or international breeding program for this species. This helps maintain healthy and resilient zoo-based animal populations by preserving genetic diversity, supporting animal husbandry knowledge, and ensuring exceptional animal welfare, safeguarding the species for the future.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered
Saving the Sumatran Tiger
Sumatran Tigers are the last population of tigers in the Sunda Islands, as populations on Java and Bali were hunted to extinction in the 20th century. With just 400 left in the wild, urgent action is critical to their survival. Tigers collectively have declined by 97% since the start of the 20th century, with only around 4000 left.
Taronga is proud to be part of a regional conservation management plan for Sumatran Tigers including breeding, research, fundraising and community action to support sustainably produced palm oil. Taronga’s involvement in the International Conservation Insurance Breeding Program is carefully monitored to ensure the species are managed with high genetic diversity, to provide a healthy and viable insurance population for the future.
Taronga is proud to be part of a regional conservation management plan for Sumatran Tigers including breeding, research, fundraising and community action to support sustainably produced palm oil. Taronga’s involvement in the International Conservation Insurance Breeding Program is carefully monitored to ensure the species are managed with high genetic diversity, to provide a healthy and viable insurance population for the future.
Choose sustainable palm oil and save rainforest animals
Palm oil is used in 50% of household products, including spreads, biscuits, shampoos, and makeup. So, what does palm oil have to do with tigers and elephants? Find out with Raise Your Palm.
Adopt a tiger
Adopting a Sumatran tiger supports Taronga’s conservation breeding and global recovery efforts for this Critically Endangered species, helping protect one of the world’s rarest big cats.
Fact sheets for kids
Discover educational resources for kindergarten to year 6.
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