Tigers - Counting Whiskers

I’m in awe of the beauty of the tiger. Seeing those orange and black stripes ripple over muscle as they move with power and grace; it makes my heart race faster! And to look into a tiger’s face, with those green eyes catching a look back at me - it’s a magical moment!
During my first visit to the new Tiger Trail at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, I got to experience the thrill of watching the tigers among the gorgeous scenery, and even see them up close. I remember reading that the new exhibit would get you close enough to count their whiskers, and it’s true! There were times when I was just inches away from a tigers face, seeing them safely through the strong glass.

These are Sumatran Tigers, which are the smallest subspecies of living tigers. But their size is still impressive, especially when seen close up - the males can reach 310 pounds, and their total length up to 7.5 feet. Their tails alone are 3 to 4 feet long. Sumatran tigers differ in appearance from other tigers in a few ways: their stripes are closer together, their coat is darker, and they have more hair on their face and around their neck. They are critically endangered - it is estimated that only about 400 are left in the wild.

I’m so thankful for the chance to see these magnificent tigers in this amazing environment. I look forward to many more visits!