Tiger cubs, with their striking striped coats, are captivating creatures from the moment they are born. These tiny felines begin life in a vulnerable state, utterly dependent on their mothers for survival. Understanding their initial size and how they rapidly grow into powerful predators offers insight into the early life of these magnificent animals.
Initial Size and Characteristics
Newborn tiger cubs are small, weighing between 780 and 1,610 grams (1.75 to 3.5 pounds). They are born blind, with eyes opening between six to twelve days after birth, though full vision takes a few weeks to develop. Their ears are also closed at birth.
Cubs emerge with distinctive striped fur, providing camouflage. They immediately seek to nurse, relying on their mother’s rich milk for nourishment. Unable to regulate their own body temperature or move effectively, they are completely dependent, making the den a protective environment.
Growth and Development Milestones
Tiger cubs grow rapidly. They gain weight quickly, around half a pound per day, fueled by their mother’s nutritious milk. Their eyes open within two weeks, and by eight weeks, they are introduced to solid food, supplementing their milk diet.
By two months, cubs start venturing out of the den with their mother. At four months, they are comparable in size to a medium-sized dog. Weaning from milk occurs around six months, when male cubs can weigh 90 to 105 pounds, and females are approximately 30 pounds lighter. Their increasing size and strength allow them to engage in playful activities like pouncing and wrestling, important for developing hunting skills and physical coordination.
Differences Across Subspecies
Cub size and growth rates vary among tiger subspecies, correlating with the adult size of the particular subspecies. For instance, Siberian tigers, the largest subspecies, have proportionally larger cubs at birth. Adult male Siberian tigers can weigh up to 660 pounds, while the smallest subspecies, the Sumatran tiger, has adult males weighing between 220 and 310 pounds.
This adult size disparity means newborn Sumatran tiger cubs are smaller than their Siberian counterparts. Cubs from larger subspecies are born bigger and maintain a faster growth rate to reach their greater adult dimensions. The growth rate of Amur (Siberian) and Bengal tiger cubs is among the fastest of all big cats.