The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur or Manchurian tiger, inhabits dense boreal forests, coniferous forests, and taiga south of the Amur River in Russia, North Korea, China, and South Korea. They are one of the largest cats in the world. Their fur is thick and pale yellow to white with black stripes that protect them from extreme temperatures during winter and shade them from intense sunlight during summer when they live in the Siberian region (hence their name). The thick coat makes it harder for prey to escape.
Siberian Tigers - Facts
The Siberian tiger is a subspecies of tiger (Panthera tigris). Its range spreads from southeastern Russia to northern China and Mongolia. It is a large animal with its weight reaching 370–630 kg (820–1300 pounds) for males and 310–370 kg (680–820 pounds) for females.
Siberian Tigers - Habitat
Siberian tigers live in coniferous forests, tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and alpine meadows. Their favorite habitat is temperate and sub-temperate coniferous forests. Siberian tigers can also be found in mountainous areas at altitudes between sea level and 3,000 meters (9,843 feet). Siberian tigers are carnivores (meat-eaters) that prey upon wild ungulates such as deer, antelope, and boar.
Siberian tigers are extremely territorial animals. They prefer to live alone in small, well-hidden territories where they have access to food and cover. This helps prevent conflict with other Siberian tigers over territory and food resources. Siberian tigers are extremely vocal animals, especially when establishing territory or when warning off intruders. Males also roar frequently during mating season, which is usually in mid-March through April or early May. The Siberian tiger’s most common prey species include goral, deer, wild pigs, and bears.
Siberian Tiger - Physical Characteristics
Siberian tigers are one of only four types of tigers in the world. While they have many physical characteristics in common with other tiger species, Siberian tigers can be distinguished by their larger size and paler fur coloration.
Siberian Tiger - Life Span
Siberian tigers have an average life span of around 16 years in captivity. In the wild, Siberian tigers have an average life span of around 12 years. Siberian tiger cubs are born with a white coat and blue eyes that change to yellow or orange by adulthood. Siberian tigers are born with a white coat and blue eyes that change to yellow or orange by adulthood. Siberian tiger cubs can be identified as males or females when they are born based on their genes; males have narrower lines than females.
Siberian Tiger - Conservation Status
Endangered, Threats: Habitat loss, hunting, and poaching for fur and skins. Siberian tigers are one of three subspecies of tigers that live in Asia. The other two are Sumatran tigers and Bengal tigers. Siberian tigers have thick white coats with black stripes that help them camouflage themselves in snowy forests. These large cats can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kilograms) and measure up to 10 feet (3 meters) long from nose to tail tip. They live in remote areas of Russia's the Far East, including the Sikhote-Alin mountain range along Russia's Pacific coast.
Siberian Tiger - Reproduction & Mating Behaviors
Siberian tigers, like all other cats, are solitary creatures. They will not tolerate others of their kind nearby and will fight to defend their territory if provoked. Male Siberian tigers are extremely aggressive during mating season and have been known to kill their offspring by accident. Females can give birth up to three times a year after mating and nurse from 3-6 months between each delivery.
Siberian Tiger Cubs – Birth & Development
Siberian tiger cubs are born in late February and early March. The cubs are about 15 inches long, blind, and completely dependent on their mother for food and warmth. Their eyes don’t open until they are around ten days old. While there is no record of Siberian tiger twins or triplets being born in captivity, there have been a few recorded instances of twin births in the wild—in such cases, only one of the two cubs usually survives to adulthood.
Siberian Tiger Babies – Weaning Process
Weaning starts at 3 months of age and lasts until 3 to 5 years of age. Cubs learn to hunt after they are weaned. [Source: San Diego Zoo] – Siberian Tiger Diet: Siberian tigers are carnivores (meat-eaters). In Asia, they typically eat a wide variety of animals including wild boar, bears, deer, horses, and more. They also sometimes consume carrion (animals that have died from other causes) when it is available.
How did Big Do Baby Siberians get? Orphaned to Wild Care Instructions
Siberian tigers are not well studied in captivity, but they probably eat meat within 24 hours of being born. Also, they should consume 15-20% of their body weight in milk every day. Mother tigers leave their young alone for several hours each day and return to nurse them. Young Siberian tigers are weaned at about three months of age but remain with their mothers until 18 months old. The cubs stay with their mother for a year before beginning to be independent of her influence.
