The Tiger is a magnificent creature of the Asian subcontinent, ranging from the forests and jungles of India to the snows of the lower Himalayas. It is a creature of dense forest cover and uses stealth and hiding in its pursuit of prey. Weights in excess of 800 pounds have been recorded. They are creatures of the snow country, searching for prey and suitable habitat in the lower Himalayas and surrounding mountains. Their distribution in this cold environment helps explain their large size.
Animals tend to grow larger in a cold environment.
Cold environments usually mean lower numbers of animals, both predator and prey. With prey species limited, and continuing pressure on the habitat, from limited farming and, especially, logging, this great cat is under severe pressure and the wild population only numbers about 450 animals. It is the world's fastest land mammal, clocked in short speed bursts up to 70 miles per hour. The Cheetah is a cat of the open grasslands of the central and southern continent of Africa. It is unique in the felid family, having evolved along a separate genetic line.