Siberian tiger | Facts & Information

Origin

It is the largest of the eight tiger subspecies and the largest living feline. A genetic study from 2009 shows that Siberian tigers are almost identical to the Caspian tiger, now an extinct population from the West that was thought to be a distinct subspecies.

The tiger is a species in danger of extinction. The siberian tiger and the Chinese tiger are extremely endangered species, brought almost to the brink of extinction.

Easily recognizable by their variegated fur, most tigers live in forests or grassy areas. They are strong swimmers and often bathe in lakes or rivers. Until the last few decades there were eight distinct subspecies of Tiger. There are currently only five left, of which the siberian tiger is facing imminent danger of extinction.

Three subspecies of tigers existing until 1940 became extinct due to hunting and the destruction of the animals ' natural habitat. In the last hundred years, their population has dropped from a few hundred thousand to just 5,000.

Siberian tigers were hunted as a trophy, but also because certain parts of their body are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Even though it is illegal to kill a tiger, poaching is still a danger to felines.

Feeding The Siberian Tiger

They feed on deer, wild pigs and buffaloes.

Like any feline the main ways of hunting are ambush and chasing prey for short distances.

It is a large carnivorous animal.

Features Siberian Tiger

The siberian tiger can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers it's time and is an exceptional swimmer. Since it has to withstand low temperatures, it has much thicker fur than the Bengal tiger for example.

Gorgeous felines are an attraction in large zoos. Breeding Siberian tigers in captivity is not very difficult, but the chances of survival of specimens released into the Wild are reduced, for this reason it is important to protect specimens in the wild.

Captive-bred tigers lack hunting skills. Also being used to people, they would try to get too close to them.

Amur (or Siberian) tigers have reached the record of 306 kg, but the normal weight of a male Siberian tiger is around 227 kg.

Siberian tigers are considered a wide subspecies, it is divided the least. They are distinguished by the fact that they have a small number of stripes. The siberian tiger is the largest feline.

Breeding Siberian Tiger

Females give birth to 2-4 Cubs, after a gestation period of 104 days.

Siberian tigers are solitary hunters. The Cubs stay with their mother for up to two years, then start to take possession of their own territory. Males move away from where they were born, but females often stay close to their mother's territory.

The siberian tiger reaches sexual maturity at the age of 4 years. The female informs the male that she is in heat through scrapes on trees and through urine.

She will spend a week with the male, during which time she will mate for 3 days. Gestation lasts about 3-4 months. The female gives birth to 3-5 cubs that she breastfeeds.