|
Siberian Tiger
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: tigris
Range & Habitat
Northern China, Korea and eastern part of the Soviet. Forests in shrub covered mountain sides up to 3,000 feet, and in reed thickets.
Reproduction & Growth
Tigers mate at any time during the year. The female shows she is ready to mate by leaving urine deposits and scratch marks on the trees. She is receptive for only three to seven days. During this time, the pair will court, play and will mate many times after which the male leaves to mate with another female. Females rear cubs alone (usually 2-4) weighing about 2-3 pounds each, which are born blind and helpless. At about eight weeks of age they leave the den to follow their mother as she hunts for food. She keeps grunting softly so they will follow her and when ready to hunt she will bed them down in concealed brush. A female tiger with cubs must kill every 5-6 days. Cubs are totally dependent on their mother for food until they are approximately 18 months old, and may continue to use their mother's range until they are 2-2 1/2 years old. They then disperse to seek their own home ranges as young adults, living on the periphery. Sexual maturity is reached by three-four years of age.
Diet - Carnivore
In the Wild: Deer, wild boar, elk, badger, hare, salmon and other fish
In the Zoo: Feline meat, chicken and horse femur bones to chew on
General Information
This species is threatened with extinction. The largest living member of the Felidae. No two tigers have the same pattern of stripes. Face markings can be
used like man's fingerprints. They can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees F, due to long, thick fur coat and a fat layer as much as two inches thick on its belly and flanks. Their vision is 6 times more acute than that of man under poor illumination, making them mainly nocturnal. They are normally solitary except for courting pairs and females withtheir young. They are primarily terrestrial, but are excellent swimmers. Tigers construct several dens throughout their territory beneath fallen trees, rocks, in stone cavities or
rotten thickets. Tigers hunt alone, depending on sight and hearing more than smell; actively searching for prey more often than waiting in ambush( when stalking, they stay under cover, their stripes being effective camouflage). They attack from the side or from the rear, seizing prey by the shoulders, back or neck. For larger prey, a throat bite is used causing strangulation. Only one in 10-20 tries to catch major prey is successful. Strong, curved canines serve as daggers, the tiger's most important weapon. Their only enemies are humans. Their life expectancy is approximately 15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.
In the Zoo
Currently we have one Siberian Tiger here at the Brandywine Zoo; one female, Ashley.
Click here to learn about Animal Care.
|
