The South China tiger (also known as the Amoy, Chinese or Xiamen tiger) is a smaller-sized subspecies of tiger native to the forests of southern China. The South China tiger is the most critically endangered tiger species with only a handful left in the wild.
The South China tiger is natively found in the temperate upland forests of southern China, where it's once wide range has now been reduced to a few isolated populations, because of inhabiting the mountainous borders between provinces.
The South China tiger is one of the smallest species of tiger behind the Sumatran tiger and the Malayan tiger. Because of its small size, it easily moves through the dense jungle. Males range in total length from 230–260 cm (91–102 in) and weigh between 130 to 180 kg (290 to 400 lb), while females range from 220–240 cm (87–94 in) and 100 to 110 kg (220 to 240 lb).
The South China tiger is known to be a strong and capable swimmer, often able to catch its prey even if it is in the water. The South China tiger is the most critically endangered species of tiger and one of the 10 most endangered animals in the world, as there are thought to be less than 20 South China tigers left in the wild.
The South China tiger is considered to be the most ancient of the tiger subspecies and is distinguished by a particularly narrow skull, long nose, rhombus-like stripes and vivid orange color