The largest cat in the world is the Amur, aka Siberian, tiger. The other subspecies are closer in size to lions. Overall listed as Endangered, with the Amur (Siberian), South China, and Sumatran subspecies as Critically Endangered. Three subspecies have become extinct since the 1950's. Overall, there are probably no more than 2500 breeding adult tigers in the wild. There are no subpopulations that contain over 250 mature individuals. There is a continuing decline all over their range due to poaching, persecution, and habitat loss. White tigers are not a separate species, just a color variation, similar to black leopards & jaguars.

In captivity tigers breed well, with up to 6 cubs in a litter. Many of the tigers in circuses or with private owners are generic (not a pure subspecies and/or parental lineage unknown), as are some in zoos. There are between 500-600 purebred Siberian tigers in captivity, and about 300 each Sumatran and Bengal (Indian) tigers. The South China tiger is not found in captivity outside of China.