The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is another breed of one of the largest cats that lives in Russia and the mountainous regions of Sikhote Alin. According to the survey of 2005 there are 250 breeding tigers, with the total remaining population of 331 to 393 adults in the world.
Siberian Tiger Facts For Kids
- The coat is a reddish brown with the black stripes that sometimes confuse with Bengal Tiger’s coat.
- The length of the Siberian Tiger measures about 150 cm (59 inches).
- The skull is 250 mm (9.8 inches) long, with the width measuring up to 180 mm (7.1 inches).
- Siberian tigers are nearly the size of a Bengal Tiger. They are 5 – 10 cm (2.0 – 3.9 inches).
- The total length including tail is about 208 cm (70 – 82 inches), while the males are 195 cm (77 inches) long on an average. Females have an average length of about 174 cm (69 inches), the normal length is 167 – 182 cm (66 – 72 inches).
- Adult males have 99 cm (39 inches) long tail while female’s tail measures up to 91 cm (36 inches). One of the longest Siberian males measured at 309 cm (122 inches), with the total length including its tail (101 cm {40 inches}) measuring 127 cm (50 inches). The longest female measured at 270 cm (110 inches) with a tail (88 cm {35 inches}).
- From the Siberian tiger facts we know the average weight of the Siberian males in Sikhote-Alin is 176.4 kilograms (389 lb), with the average weight of the females measured at 117.9 kg (260 lb).
- The largest adult male measured at 350 cm (140 inches) and weighs up to 318 kg (700 lb). There are other males that also weighed around 384 kg (850 lb) back in 1950. In captivity, few cats weigh up to 465 kg (1,030 lb)
- The size of the female skull ranges from 279.7 – 310.2 mm (11.01 – 12.21 inches). While the skull of the males is 297.0 – 365.8 mm (1169 – 14.40 inches) long, females have 195.7 – 255.5 mm (7.70 – 10.06 inches) long. One of the largest skulls of a tiger measured at 385 mm (15.2 inches) that had been killed in January 1954. Siberian tiger belonged to Manchuria had a largest skull measured at 406 mm (16.0 inches).
See also: Tiger Facts For Kids
Size of the Fur of Siberian Tiger
- Siberian cats have fur of varied size and length. The eastern and western species show marked difference in the stripes. Some individuals show brown stripes while others have black stripes.
- During summer the fur reaches a length of 15 – 17 mm (0.59 – 0.67 inches) that runs toward the forehead; and the one at the belly is about 25 – 35 mm (0.98 – 1.4 inches), along with a 14 – 16 mm (0.55 – 0.63 inches) long fur on the tail.
- The winter fur measures up to 40 – 50 mm (1.6 – 2.0 inches); on the neck the fur measures at 70 – 110 mm (2.8 – 4.3 inches), the length is 60 – 100 mm (2.4 – 3.9 inches) on chest and the belly has a 65 – 105 mm (2.6 – 4.1 inches)long fur.
Where Do Siberian Tigers Live
Siberian tigers live throughout the Russian province extending from south to the north. They also live in the Amur River and Primorsky Krai. Tigers are thought to exist in the mountains that extend from Russia to China. The habitat altitude is 500 – 800 meters (1,600 – 2,600 feet) above the sea level.
What Do Siberian Tigers Eat | Siberian Tigers Diet
- Tigers travel great distances of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
- Each male claims 2 – 3 females insider its territory.
- They are likely to prey on musk deer, hares, rabbits, goral, Manchurian wapiti, pikas, and salmon. Apart from these small preys, Siberian tigers diet consists of large animals such as brown bears; however, brown bears have also killed tigers partly out of self-defense partly out of revenge. The wolf’s population is decreasing in regions where tigers are abundant.
Main Article: What Do Siberian Tigers Eat?
Reproductive Biology
- Tigers reach maturity at 4 years age.
- There is no fixed mating season.
- The gestation period lasts about 90 – 105 days.
- Females litter around 4 – 6 cubs. The newly-born cubs are completely blind at birth.
- They have an average lifespan of about 15 years in the wild.
Learn More: Siberian Tiger Life cycle
Threats
- A survey conducted in 2006 – 2007 showed a sudden decline in the population because of poaching. Back in 1930s to 1940s, Siberian tigers were forced to leave the western and northern range during the Russian Civil War. However, on the positive side several conservational steps had been taken to restore the present population.
- To stop the tigers’ trading is one of them. Siberian tigers also attack humans. However, in 2002 a Siberian tiger attacked man near the China-Russia border but fortunately the man stayed alive and undergone minor injuries.
- Local officials suggested that it was the man who forced the tiger to attack since he was a poacher. For the reason that these cats are capable to jump higher, the tiger enclosure (in zoo) should be no less than 16 feet (4.9 m).
- Tigers do not have natural predators except for humans.
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