Once upon a time, tigers roamed far and wide across the globe, from eastern Turkey and northern Iran to the Russian Far East and into the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. Sadly, due to extensive poaching and habitat loss, they now only occupy around 8% of their original range. Of the nine subspecies, there are just six left, with three going extinct in the early to mid 20th century. Luckily, conservation efforts are helping the remaining tigers to survive and even recover their numbers. Let’s take a look at the six subspecies that are still with us. 

Bengal tiger

The Bengal tiger is the most well-known of the subspecies and the most populous. Around half the world’s wild tigers are Bengal tigers. These majestic creatures are still endangered though, with only an estimated 2,500 living in the wild. They are largely found in India, but there are small numbers in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Amur or Siberian tiger

The Amur or Siberian tiger is among the largest of the tiger subspecies, and can be found in the Russian Far East and northeastern China. It’s a critically endangered animal, with only around 300-400 left in the wild. The Amur tiger can be distinguished by its pale orange coat, widely spaced brown stripes and white chest and belly. 

Sumatran or Sunda tiger

The Sumatran or Sunda tiger lives only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It’s the smallest of the subspecies and can be identified by its fluffy ruff, dark orange fur and wide black stripes. Its natural home range is estimated to be about 150 miles, which is one of the largest ranges of all the subspecies. With less than 400 left in the wild, the Sumatran tiger is critically endangered. 

Indochinese tiger

Once roaming across China and southeast Asia, the Indochinese tiger are now thought to live only in Myanmar and Thailand. They have short, dark orange coats that help them to tolerate the heat of their tropical forest habitats. There are only about 200 individuals left in the wild. 

Malayan tiger

Native to southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula and southern Thailand, the Malayan tiger was only recognised as a separate subspecies in 2004. It was previously thought to be the same as the Indochinese tiger, as they both look very similar - even to tiger experts. They are excellent swimmers and like to bathe in rivers to stay cool. Sadly, there are less than 150 individuals left in the wild.

South China tiger

Once roaming across the length and breadth of China, the South China tiger is now the world’s most endangered subspecies - in fact it’s considered extinct in the wild. It’s the smallest of the mainland tigers, with a shorter head and yellow-orange fur with thin stripes. There is some hope for this subspecies though: dedicated captive breeding programs have raised numbers to around 240. 

Join a tiger for tea

If you’re searching for ‘children’s theatre near me’ this summer, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which is playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 22 June - 5 September 2026. Retelling Judith Kerr’s popular story with songs, dancing and plenty of interactive moments, it’s family theatre in London at its best. Browse performances online and pick up theatre tickets for children's shows via our website.