Siberian tiger
- Class: Mammals (Mammalia)
- Order: Carnivores (Carnivora)
- Family: Cats (Felidae)
- Genus: Panthera
- Species: Panthera tigris
- SubGenus: P. t. altaica
Size
Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are the largest subspecies of tiger, and the largest cat species in the world. Males can reach weights of 300kg. Females rarely weigh more than 185kg.
Ecology
The Amur tiger is well adapted to cope with harsh, snowy winters. Male territories overlap those of several females and can extend for up to 1 000km². Female territories are considerably smaller.
Food habits
Red deer and wild boar are the Amur tiger’s main sources of prey.
Longevity
Amur tigers live to 15 years, and in zoos up to 20 years.
Reproduction
Usually every second year the female has a litter of three cubs, and rears them without help from the male. The gestation period lasts approximately 15 weeks.
Conservation status
In certain oriental cultures it is erroneously considered that actual body parts of the tiger have powerful medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. These products have no such effects. Despite legislation forbidding their trade there still exists a great demand for tiger body parts. Political and economic changes in the Amur region have led to increased poaching. Until several years ago it was feared that the Amur tiger population was beyond recovery, but extensive international conservation efforts, additional funding and implementation of anti-poaching protection policies seem to have reversed this negative trend. The Amur tiger population in zoos is genetically problem-free, and animals from this gene pool can be used for future reintroductions into the wild should the situation become critical again.
IUCN Threat Category:
Endangered.
