Meretiger

Introduction

The Meretiger (Noxia Aqua Tigris) is a descendant of the Siberian tiger and Panthera. The Meretiger is an omnivore native to Southeast Russia. It can be found in forests bordered by water in Southeast Russia. It can be recognized by its dull brown fur with black and white stripes.

Etymology

The word (meretiger) comes from the Latin words mere and Tigris, meaning water and tiger. When first observed, native people assumed that it was just swimming (as tigers often do), but after winter came, the tiger was still swimming, regardless of temperature.

At first, thought to be completely resistant to cold, Meretigers are actually covered in water repellant oils that they secrete from their skin. The oils protect them from cold water in the winter, severe gales, and other harsh weather conditions.

Habitat and Population

Meretigers live in Southeast Russia and they thrive in environmental factors such as the cold weather, water, and forest. Around 1 thousand Meretigers currently live in the wild and this number is rapidly increasing. They live alone, but families tend to leave near each other to warn relatives of danger. Babies are born in sets of 3 or 4 and the majority of the litter survives to reach adulthood.

History

The Meretiger’s most distant ancestors became a different species from cats around 4.3mil - 3.8 mil years ago (Jaguars emerged). About 3.6mil to 2.5mil years ago, the jaguar evolved into lions and leopards, which eventually became different species from one another about 3.1mil to 1.95mil years ago. The tiger is somewhat of a midpoint between lions and leopards.

Deforestation and poaching have hurt some of the Meretigers. Deforestation is making their habitats more exposed and easier for poachers and hunters to find them. The poison they have in their system is poisonous to humans and has resulted in less poaching encounters with humans (but it is still a problem). Also, in the open water, it is easy for poachers to see and shoot a Meretiger.

Evolution

The Meretiger descended from the late species, the Siberian tiger [depicted below]. This species had to go through behavioral and physical adaptations in order to survive. Physical changes include, their fur is covered in water repellant oils so that they can swim and hunt in the winter. Behavioral adaptations include changing its diet to become omnivorous and working together to alert other tigers of potential danger. Tigers also work in harmony with bacterial tetrodotoxin, which inhabits the majority of their body and wards off poachers. Meretigers survive off of their mother’s milk. The later revert to nuts, berries, small animals, and sometimes feed off their mother’s meal. When they are around 4 years of age, they depart from their mother and find a mate.

Summary

Meretigers secrete water repellant oils from their skin that coat their fur and insulate them in cold water. Meretigers are omnivorous and they work together to alert other tigers of potential danger. They emit loud bullet sounding roars to alert their neighbors of potential danger from poachers. Meretigers have a bacteria called tetrodotoxin that populates its body and transfers through reproduction. It’s dull brown fur and black and white splotches allow the tiger to blend into its surroundings. Meretigers are the epitome of tiger evolution. Their newly developed traits (adapted from the Siberian Tiger) helped it become the tiger species with the biggest population (and still growing).

Works Cited

Meyer, Amelia. “Tigers.org.za.” The Siberian Tiger, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.tigers.org.za/siberian-tiger.html.

“Siberian Tiger.” Animal Spot, https://www.animalspot.net/siberian-tiger.html.

“Siberian Tiger Facts: Amur Tigers: Endangered Animals.” Animal Fact Guide, 20 Mar. 2018, https://animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/siberian-tiger/.

“Is the Siberian Tiger White ?” Tigers In the Wild, 8 Oct. 2019, https://tigersinthewild.org/2018/12/04/is-the-siberian-tiger-white/.

Study.com, Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-food-chain-of-a-tiger.html.

“Tiger (Siberian).” Young People's Trust For the Environment, 10 Sept. 2014, https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/tiger-siberian/overview.

Waleed, et al. “Siberian Tiger Population – How Many Siberian Tigers Are Left in the World.” SiberianTiger.org, 30 July 2018, https://siberiantiger.org/siberian-tiger-population-how-many-siberian-tigers-are-left-in-the-world.

Walker, Matt. “Earth News - Tigers Evolved with Snow Leopards, Gene Study Reveals.” BBC, BBC, 12 Feb. 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8512000/8512455.stm.

“Why Should We Save Tigers?” WWF, https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/priority_species/bengal_tiger/why_save_the_tigers/#.