What is the scientific name of a tiger? The tiger scientific name is Panthera tigris.
Tigers are the strongest animals dwelling in forests and grasslands. They strike a balance between love and fear. But do you know there’s a special word scientists use to refer to tigers? This word is the tiger scientific name.
In this article, you’ll find the full scientific name of tigers, its meaning, how to say it, and what terms scientists use when discussing or classifying tigers. Let’s explore the actual biological name of the tiger.
Table of Contents
What Is the Scientific Name of the Tiger?
The scientific name for the tiger is Panthera tigris.
The name Panthera tigris is used internationally by scientists for the tiger. It should allow people speaking all languages to understand which animal we are referring to.
Let us analyze the meaning of tiger scientific names further:
- Panthera is the genus.
- Tigris is the species.
From this, the zoological name of the tiger is Panthera tigris.
Thus, this is the only accepted and official scientific name for tiger.
Meaning Behind the Tiger’s Scientific Name
Meaning is attached to every scientific name.
- Panthera, which translates to “big cat,” is of Latin origin and refers to a genus that includes other large cats such as lions and leopards, as well as jaguars.
- Tigris is the Latin word for “tiger.“
Therefore, the scientific meaning of the tiger, Panthera tigris, is a big cat with the name tiger.
Scientific Classification the Tiger
Tigers belong to the animal kingdom. Here is the complete biological classification of the tiger.
| Level | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Genus | Panthera |
| Species | tigris |
How Science Defines a Tiger with Classifications
- Animalia: Tigers are animals.
- Chordata: Tigers have a backbone.
- Mammalia: Tigers are warm-blooded, have fur, and give birth to live young.
- Carnivora: Tigers are meat-eaters.
- Felidae: This is the cat family. Lions, tigers, and domestic cats all belong here.
- Panthera: This group includes big cats like tigers, leopards, and jaguars
- Tigris: This is the part that refers to tigers.
Pronunciation of the Tiger Scientific Name
Panthera tigris is pronounced:
- Pan-THAIR-uh TIE-gris
Oh, it’s easy when you break it down into two parts and a few slow practice repetitions!
- Pan-THAIR-uh (Genus)
- TIE-gris (Species)
You’re on your way to correctly pronounce the scientific name for a tiger!
Subspecies of tigers with scientific names
There are different kinds of tigers or subspecies. Here are a few examples, with their scientific names:
- Bengal Tiger: Panthera tigris tigris
- Siberian Tiger: Panthera tigris altaica
- Indochinese Tiger: Panthera tigris corbetti
- Malayan Tiger: Panthera tigris jacksoni
- South China Tiger: Panthera tigris amoyensis
- Sumatran Tiger: Panthera tigris sumatrae
