18×24 pastel on pastelboard. Original unavailable and in Hawaii. As of 03-16-12, 4684 views and 141 favorited.

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This was taken from a photograph by Rita Groszmann with her permission. The cat was a resident in California at the time. For some reason, the piece almost did itself.. it was almost like I was watching it come together from another vantage point. Really enjoyable.. time flew!!

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris
Size: Male Bengal: Head to tail tip 8.8-10.2 feet (2.7-3.1m); Female 7.8-9.4 feet (2.4-2.8m)
Weight: Male: 396-573 pounds (180-260kg); Female: 287-353 pounds (130-160kg)
Distribution: India, Manchuria, China, Indonesia
Habitat: Varied, including tropical forest, snow-covered evergreen forest, deciduous forests, mangrove swamps and drier forest types.
Diet: Deer, wild pigs, buffalo, antelope, and gaurs (wild oxen)
Reproduction: After a gestation period of 13-16 weeks, female gives birth to 2-4 cubs
Longevity: About 15 years (to 20 in captivity)
Population: Estimated at below 2,500
Status: Endangered (information from The Big Cats )

• Completed 01-06-1999 in 17.30 hours spread over 7 days