Bornean tiger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bornean tiger |
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| Painting of a tiger at a Buddhist temple in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Felidae |
| Subfamily: | Pantherinae |
| Genus: | Panthera |
| Species: | P. tigris |
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| Map of Borneo and surrounding islands, including Palawan | |
The Bornean tiger is a type of tiger that might be extinct. It is believed to have lived on the island of Borneo a long time ago, in prehistoric times.
People have not officially seen a live Bornean tiger in modern times. However, the local Dayak people believe these tigers still exist. They sometimes report seeing them.
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What the Bornean Tiger Was Like
Scientists think the Bornean tiger might have been quite small. It was possibly similar in size to the Sumatran tiger.
Local people say it was bigger than a Bornean clouded leopard. They describe it as mostly brown with stripes that were not very clear.
In Sarawak, Malaysia, many animal bone pieces were found in Niah National Park between 1954 and 1966. Among these, a small bone piece was identified as belonging to a young tiger.
Two fossil bone pieces were also found in Ille Cave on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. These pieces were identified as tiger bones. Their size is similar to bones from tigers living today in the Malay Peninsula and India.
How They Lived
The Bornean tiger likely hunted animals like the Bornean bearded pig, the Bornean yellow muntjac, and the sambar deer. Local Dayak people say that this tiger did not climb trees.
Clues from the Past
When archaeologists dug up sites, they found tiger parts. These included a tooth and some bone pieces. This suggests that tigers were present in Borneo during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene periods. These are very old times in Earth's history.
A tiger bone piece was also found on the Philippine island of Palawan. Experts think it's unlikely these bones were traded between islands so long ago.
Borneo might have been connected to Palawan during past ice ages. This would have made it easier for animals to cross. Also, tiger parts were often used as amulets in South and Southeast Asia. So, it's possible the tiger parts found in Palawan were brought there from somewhere else.
It's also possible that tigers crossed the Balabac Strait about 420,000–620,000 years ago. At that time, the sea level was much lower, and the distance between Borneo and Palawan was shorter. However, there is no proof that tigers lived in Palawan after 12,000 years ago.
Reported Sightings
In 1975, a person named Douchan Gersi claimed to have seen a tiger in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. He even took two pictures of the animal. While the photos show a tiger, some people doubted if they were real. It's possible the tiger was an animal that had escaped from captivity.
In 1995, local people in Central Kalimantan said they heard a tiger roar. They were sure it was a tiger's roar and not another animal.
In Culture
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The people of Borneo remember the tiger in their culture. They keep tiger body parts as special family items, called heirlooms. This suggests that the Bornean tiger might have lived longer than just prehistoric times.
Tiger claws were used as protective amulets by the Kenyah, Ngaju, and Iban peoples. They might have been worn during important ceremonies or by important people. Some local languages also have special words for the tiger, or use other animal names to avoid saying "tiger."
You can also see tiger designs in traditional carvings, on ceremonial items, and in modern art. Tigers are also shown on woven fabrics, like mats and clothing, such as the Iban pua kumbu.
See also
- Sunda Islands
- Greater islands
- Lesser islands
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- Prehistoric tigers: Panthera tigris soloensis
- Panthera tigris trinilensis
- Panthera tigris acutidens
