Tigers, with their striking orange coats and distinctive black stripes, are formidable predators. Their life cycle is a fascinating journey, showcasing behaviors crucial for survival in diverse environments. Exploring the various stages of a tiger’s life provides insight into the biology and ecology of these large felines.
Cubhood and Early Development
A tigress gives birth to a litter of two to four cubs. Newborn cubs are born blind and helpless, weighing between 1.75 to 3.5 pounds. Their eyes open within six to twelve days, with full vision developing over a few weeks. For the first several weeks, cubs are completely reliant on their mother for nourishment.
Cubs begin consuming solid food, brought by their mother, around six to eight weeks and are weaned from milk by six months. Around two months old, they start venturing out of the den, observing their mother. Between eight and ten months, cubs accompany their mother on hunting excursions, learning by observation and through play-fighting with siblings. This interaction helps them develop skills like stalking, pouncing, and climbing. They remain with their mother, learning to hunt, until 18 to 24 months old, when they seek their own territories.
Maturity and Reproduction
Female tigers reach sexual maturity between three and four years, while males mature later, at four to five years. Adult tigers are solitary animals, establishing and defending their own territories. Male tigers require larger territories and mark their domain using scent, feces, claw marks, and vocalizations like roars.
Mating can occur throughout the year, but is more frequent during cooler months in tropical regions, between November and April. Female tigers enter estrus every three to nine weeks and are receptive for only a few days, signaling through scent marking and vocalizations. Copulation is brief and repeated frequently over several days; females are induced ovulators, meaning mating triggers egg release. After a gestation period of approximately 93 to 112 days, the tigress gives birth.
Later Years
The lifespan of tigers varies between wild and captive environments. In the wild, tigers live between 10 and 15 years. In human care, with consistent food, veterinary attention, and protection, tigers can live longer, reaching 20 to 26 years.
As tigers age, they experience physical changes. Their teeth may show wear and staining, and gum lines can recede. Older tigers may exhibit a saggy body condition, and their physical capabilities, including hunting, decline. These changes make it challenging to secure prey, potentially leading to starvation or increased vulnerability to conflicts. The natural decline of aging brings their life cycle to a close.