Siberian Tiger

This is the largest of the nine races of tiger, and the biggest member of the cat family. Unfortunately, it is close to extinction.

The numbers of these tigers plummeted over the past century, largely because of hunting pressures. They died out in South Korea in 1922 and are virtually extinct in the north. There are probably no more than a ten left in China. Thanks to strenuous conservation efforts, their numbers now stand at about 500 individuals in Russia. The strength of these tigers is such that adults can even overpower bears easily, although they more frequently hunt deer and boar.

Distribution: Used to occur in northeastern China, parts of Mongolia and Russia. Now confined mainly to the Amur region of Russia.

Weight: Females 95 – 180 kg (210 – 397 lb); males 166 – 225 kg (366 – 496 lb).

Length: 290 – 320 cm (114 – 126 in), including tail; up to 119 cm (47 in) tall.

Maturity: 3 years.

Gestation Period: 90-105 days.

Breeding: Average 3 – 4, but can be up to 6; weaning occurs at 90 days.

Food: Carnivorous, preferring larger prey.

Lifespan: Probably 10 – 12 years, although can live up to 23.

Stripes

These are less apparent in Siberian tigers, and are generally brown rather than black.

Colouration

This race has whiter colouration, alongside areas of gold rather than bright orange fur.

Mane

These tigers develop a substantial mane of longer fur around the neck in winter.

Fur

The fur is very dense, with around 3000 hairs per square centimetre over the body.

Tigers lap up water with their tongue, like a domestic cat.

IDENTITY

The stripes on the face and elsewhere on the body are different in each individual, enabling them to be distinguished from one another.