Siberian Tigers
The Siberian Tiger is found in cold regions in Russia and China.
To survive in the harsh climate, the tiger build up fat
reserves. Siberian Tigers are also much larger than the tiger
variants found in warm habitats, since a large body will
conserve heat more efficiently than a small body. During the
cold winter, a Siberian Tiger will need up to 10 kilograms of
meat a day to do well. It hunts primarily wild boar, deer and
elk and can eat much more than 10 kilograms in one gulp if given
the opportunity. Siberian Tigers have been noticed when they
feast on 50 kilograms of meat or more. The staple food is wild
boar, and the Siberian Tiger population is therefore dependant
on a healthy wild boar population. Roughly 50 percent of the
tigers' diet is typically made up by wild boar. Siberian Tigers
can also catch smaller prey, such as lynx, rabbit, rodents and
fish. The Siberian Tiger can also occasionally hunt bear.
The hunting style of the Siberian Tiger is based on surprise
attacks. The Siberian Tiger is capable of running faster than 50
miles an hour, but can only keep up this speed during short and
explosive attacks. The Siberian Tiger will therefore usually
choose to hunt during the night, when it can use its supreme
night vision to ambush prey. The Siberian Tiger is also equipped
with superb hearing and a keen sense of smell that is helpful
during the hunt.
The Siberian Tiger lives in oak, birch and coniferous woodlands
in Russian Siberia and northern China. The Chinese population is
almost extinct, just like the Korean population, but the Russian
population shows strong signs of recovery and has increased
significantly during the last two decades. In 1997, there were
approximately 350-400 Siberian Tigers living in Russia.
Siberian Tigers mate during December or January and the cub
litter is born during early spring when the climate is less
harsh and prey offspring are abundant. The Siberian Tiger is a
solitary dweller and they will only form pairs during the short
mating period. Two Siberian Tigers have been seen hunting
together during the mating period, but this is quite
extraordinary. They will usually prefer to hunt alone even
during the mating period. The female tiger will care for the
cubs alone and teach them how to hunt. The gestation period of
the Siberian Tiger is 3-3.5 months.
The Siberian Tiger litter will usually comprise three or four
cubs. The cubs are born toothless and with closed eyes. After 14
days, the eyes will begin to open. The cub will consume milk
from the mother for roughly six months. Siberian Tigers learn
how to hunt from their mother. After around a year, the cubs
will have become somewhat independent and capable hunters, but
they will still stay with their mother until they are 3-5 years
old. The life of the young cubs is hard and it is unusual for
more than one tiger from each litter to reach maturity.