Explanation – A golden tiger (also known as a golden tabby tiger) is a Bengal tiger exhibiting a color variation resulting from a recessive gene. The golden tiger’s coloring originates from a recessive trait known as ‘wideband,’ which influences the production of black pigments during the hair growth cycle. Golden tigers are not a separate subspecies but rather a result of genetic variation within Bengal tigers. They are exceptionally rare in the wild and even rarer in captivity.

Source: Forum IAS