The tiger (Panthera tigris), first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, is a powerful, orange-and-black striped apex predator native to Asia, traditionally divided into nine subspecies but now often recognized as just two (mainland Asian and Sunda Islands). It inhabits various forest types, lives a mostly solitary life, ambushes hooved prey, and females raise two or three cubs for about two years before they establish their own territories. Since the early 20th century, tiger populations have lost at least 93% of their historic range, and with a further 53–68% decline since the late 1990s, they are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Major threats include habitat destruction, poaching for fur and body parts, and human–wildlife conflict over livestock. Conservation measures include legal protection, anti-poaching patrols, wildlife corridors, and reintroduction plans. The tiger is a cultural icon featured in mythology and entertainment, and its name may derive from ancient words for 'arrow'.