Differences Between the Siberian Tiger vs. Bengal Tiger

As we have explained in the introduction, the species of animal known as the tiger has different subspecies. Specifically, there are nine extant types of tiger subspecies in the world. While these subspecies have been proposed as separate subspecies, there is a confusing taxonomy surrounding this big cat.

While different populations exist which have certain characteristic differences, they are all now considered the same subspecies of tiger known as Panthera tigris tigris. Much debate has arisen over the classification of these types of tigers. Some researchers claim they are of different clades and should be represented accordingly. However, no scientific consensus has yet been achieved.

Both Siberian and Bengal tigers are considered the same subspecies, but they were once known as the following:

• Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
• Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

These distinctions show the Bengal tiger and the Siberian tiger as being distinct subspecies. The differences we explain below support this notion, but further research needs to be carried out to confirm them ad genetically different.

Previously, the Siberian tiger was considered the largest of the tiger subspecies. Recent studies indicate that the Bengal tiger is currently the largest. The total length of the Bengal tiger can reach 106"–122" (270–310 cm) in length, while Siberian tigers can measure up to 79"–98" (200–250 cm). In both cases, the tail measures 31"–39" (80–100 cm).

In terms of weight, the Siberian tiger takes first place, reaching an average weight of 705 lb (320 kg), while Bengal tigers have an average weight of 489 lb (222 kg). The largest Bengal tiger in recorded history measured 133" (338 cm) and weighed 857 lb (388.7 kg), while its largest Siberian cousin measured 131" (333 cm) and weighed 1,025 lb (465 kg).

In the image below you can see a Bengal tiger:

Differences can also be seen depending on the location of each species. For example, the Bengal tiger can be found in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, in the various protected parks of these countries since. There are very few existing wild animals there. Much of this is due to small human communities killing tigers for protection.

We can find the Siberian tiger in the extreme Southeast of Russia, majorly around the border with China. In earlier periods, they could also be found in countries like Mongolia and Korea. However, due to hunting and the Asian black market, its range is now greatly reduced.

As for climate, the Bengal tiger lives in hot desert areas and on grasslands where the climate is more humid and cooler. The Siberian tiger is adapted to live in extreme cold conditions, inhabiting snowy areas of Siberia which can reach extremely low temperatures. We can also find them in wetlands and grasslands where temperatures are more moderate.

If you want to learn about differences with other types of big cat, take a look at our comparison between lions and tigers.

In the image below we can see a Siberian tiger waling in an extremely cold climate:

In terms of food, there are much more similarities than differences between these two species. They are both carnivorous animals and devour practically any animal they are able to catch. Being obligate carnivores, they need animal protein to survive.

However, since the Bengal and Siberian tigers live in divergent habitats, the types of prey animals they consume differ. We can look at the differences in diet with these two tigers:

• Bengal tiger: generally prefers ungulate prey such as sambar, gaur, water buffalo, takin and nilgai. However, it can also eat peacocks, monkeys, wild boars, hares and antelopes, when available.
• Siberian tiger: also has a carnivorous diet made largely of ungulates such as wapiti, musk deer, moose and sika deer. It has also been known to prey on wild boards, lynx and even brown bears.

Both can kill their prey by a single bite, if it is a small animal. However, a medium or large animal will be knocked down and destabilized so they can lock their powerful jaws on the victim's neck, until they suffocate and die. They usually eat around every 1-2 days, but they should eat at least one large animal a week to sustain themselves.

Discover more about how tigers hunt their prey with our related guide.

Continuing the differences between the Bengal tiger and the Siberian tiger, the color of their coat is not that easy to distinguish. They are very similar, but you can spot the difference if you observe closely:

• Bengal tiger: is a reddish orange color, with black or gray stripes and white on the bottom.
• Siberian tiger: is a reddish brown color, a little paler than its relative, but almost imperceptible for the inexperienced eye.

Both tigers also have the characteristic dark or black stripes, which run vertically on their sides and shoulders and form rings on their tail. The volume of fur in the case of the Siberian tiger is greater than that of the Bengal. This is necessary in order to protect them from the very cold Siberian winters.

Many people have the false belief that the white Bengal tiger and the Siberian tiger are the same. The white color is a genetic mutation that results in a white coat instead of orange or reddish brown. It is not because they live in snowy areas that these tigers are white.

There is also an even rarer mutation in tigers, which is known as a golden tiger. It is also present in both species. In this case, the mutation affects the traditional black stripes, which tend to be reddish, a color a little stronger than the background color. Golden tigers have only been seen in captivity. All of these colors do not make it easier to differentiate one species from another, since they are very similar in terms of appearance.

In the image below you can observe the mutation known as golden tiger.

In summary, there are some ways in which these two species can be differentiated. All of them are fundamentally related to their habitat, since their given ecosystem informs everything about how they can survive. This even manifests in physical differences, although they have very similar morphologies. To tell the difference between Bengal tigers and Siberian tigers we can look at:

• Habitat: in the case of the Bengal tiger, they live in hot and humid climates. Conversely, the Siberian tiger is a cold weather animal and can better survive the snowy tundra of Siberia.
• Physical size: the Bengal is much larger than the Siberian tiger. Despite this, it often looks slimmer than its relative who lives in Russia.
• Weight: the Siberian tiger is much heavier and therefore more robust in sight than its Indian cousin.
• Fur: Siberian tigers have more voluminous fur to help protect them from the often freezing cold temperatures of their environment.

Other than using the above characteristics, it is difficult to distinguish between the two species and it is easy to confuse them with any of the different tiger subspecies that still exist. The main difference in the wild is that you can tell which is which depending on whether you are in North or South Asia. We hope our pointers helped you identify the differences of these two stunning tiger subspecies.

In the image below you can see a white tiger, a mutation that can occur in both species. Learn more about how genetics influence color with our article on what causes albino animals?

If you want to read similar articles to Differences Between the Siberian Tiger vs. Bengal Tiger, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.