Malan tiger
Scientific Name: Panthera malba  |
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Physical Description Body Type: Felidae Biological Information Diet: Carnivorous |
The Malan Tiger, also called the Snow tiger, is a species of cat native to the southwestern quarter of Keltia on the Malan Peninsula. They have been revered and used as a symbol by the Mala'anje people since ancient times. Besides the Malan Peninsula, the only other extant population is a small population on the Tigra Isles that were introduced around five-hundred years ago. As such the species is considered endangered and is protected by international conservation laws and local authorities. It has a powerful, muscular body with a large head and paws, a long tail, and white fur with black, mostly vertical stripes.
Throughout the tiger's range, it inhabits mainly forests, from coniferous and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in the central Keltia (not extirpated from these areas) to tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests on the Mala Peninsula. The tiger is an apex predator and preys mainly on ungulates such as deer and wild boar, which it takes by ambush. It lives a mostly solitary life and occupies home ranges, which it defends from individuals of the same sex. The range of a male tiger overlaps with that of multiple females with whom he has reproductive claims. Females give birth to usually two or three cubs that stay with their mother for about two years. When becoming independent, they leave their mother's home range and establish their own.
The species is legally protected in all of its range countries, which have established nature reserves, camera trap monitoring and anti-poaching patrols. It has been kept in captivity since ancient times and has been trained to perform in circuses and other entertainment shows. The species has been popular in the exotic pet trade. The tiger featured prominently in the ancient mythology and folklore of cultures throughout its historic range, in particular that of the Mala'anje.
