The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length
of up to 3.3 m (11 ft) and weighing up to 306 kg (670 lb).
It is the third largest land carnivore (behind
only the polar bear and the brown bear). Its most recognizable feature
is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with a lighter
underside. It has exceptionally stout teeth, and the canines are the longest among living felids
with a crown height of
as much as 74.5 mm (2.93 in) or even 90 mm (3.5 in). In
zoos, tigers have lived for 20 to 26 years, which also seems to be their longevity
in the wild. They are territorial and generally solitary but social
animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their
prey requirements. This coupled with the fact that they are indigenous to some
of the more densely populated places on Earth, has caused significant conflicts
with humans.