If you’re interested in tigers, you may have heard of white tigers. You may even have seen one in captivity. These beautiful big cats have snowy white coats instead of orange ones, as well as clear blue eyes, and they’re incredibly rare. Here, we share seven interesting facts about them.

1. White tigers are not a separate subspecies

Looking at a white tiger you’d be forgiven for thinking it belongs to a different subspecies from orange tigers. However, they are actually Bengal or Amur (Siberian) tigers.
 

2. White tigers’ fur is caused by a genetic mutation

White tigers look the way they do because of a mutation in their genes called leucism. This causes an absence of the orange colour in their fur and only occurs if both parents carry a recessive gene that becomes dominant in the cub. 
 

3. They are extremely rare in the wild

White tigers only occur in the wild once in every 10,000 births. Only a handful of white tigers have ever been spotted in the wild. The lack of orange in their coat means they aren’t as well camouflaged, making it difficult for them to hunt and survive. The last time a white tiger was recorded in the wild was in 1958.

4. White tigers would be native to India and the Far East

If white tigers still existed in the wild, their habitat would be the same as that of the Bengal and Amur tigers. They would prowl the wetlands and forests of the Indian subcontinent, as well as roaming in far-eastern Russia and China. 

5. They grow faster than orange tigers

White tigers are slightly larger and heavier than orange tigers at birth and grow at a slightly faster rate, reaching adulthood at two to three years old compared to three to five years in orange tigers. 
 

6. They get darker in the cold

Like Siamese cats and Himalayan rabbits, white tigers have an enzyme that causes their fur to grow darker in colder temperatures. It’s thought that this is due to a weakened immune system linked to their leucism. 

7. Some white tigers are almost completely white

A different genetic condition means some white tigers are almost completely white, with very few, faint stripes. One such captive tiger was shown in England in the early 19th century. 
 

8. They are bred in captivity for profit

Beware of any animal facility that claims to breed white tigers for conservation. White tigers are so rare that any kind of breeding is certainly done for profit. This results in inbreeding - where there is not enough genetic diversity among the animals - and causes severe deformities and medical conditions in the cubs. 

Catch The Tiger Who Came to Tea

If your family is tiger-mad, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which has returned to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket this summer. One of London’s best family theatre shows, it retells Judith Kerr’s bestselling story with songs, dancing, magic and clumsy chaos. This family show is perfect for kids aged three and up, being just 55 minutes long. Search ‘children’s shows near me’ and book your tickets today.