siberian tiger
Scientific name: Panthera tigris altaica
The Siberian tigers, also known as Amur tigers, live in Russia and parts of China and North Korea. They are the biggest cats on earth. Males can grow up to 12 ft and weigh up to 423 kg, while females measure around 8 ft and weigh up to 168 kg.
Siberian tigers prey on hoofed animals like deer, wild pigs and elk. They also eat birds and fish. Tigers are ambush predators, which means they hide and wait for their prey to come close enough to catch. They can reach speeds of 40 mph and their claws can reach a length of 4 in.
Tiger moms take care of cubs by herself. When the mother tiger leaves the den to catch food she has to leave her young cubs behind. This makes the cubs vulnerable to predators like bears, wolves and other male tigers. When the cubs grow to 18 months, mom teaches them how to hunt. After 2-3 years the cubs are fully independent and start living on their own.
Unfortunately, Siberian tigers are endangered. Deforestation destroys their habitat. And even though poaching tigers is illegal there is demand for tiger skin so they are hunted. With only around 400 Siberian tigers left in the wild they are at serious risk of extinction.
Location: East Asia
Length: 9 1/2 ft
Diet: Mainly Large Hoofed Mammals
Photo credit: Bigcatrescue.org
