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Siberian tiger, (subspecies Panthera tigris altaica), subspecies of tiger ( Pantheria tigris) inhabiting the cold-climate forests of the Primorye and Khabarovsk territories of far-eastern Russia as well as northeastern China. In appearance, the Siberian tiger is distinguished from other tiger subspecies (such as the similar-looking but hot-climate Bengal tiger) by its muted orange coat accented by black stripes, its thick fur, and its size; it is considered by many experts to be the world's largest tiger (the Bengal tiger ranking second largest). Fewer than 600 Siberian tigers remain in the wild, while several hundred more are kept in zoos and nature parks worldwide.

The largest male Siberian tigers may grow up to 3.7 metres (12.1 feet) in body length (including a 1-metre- [3.3-foot-] long tail) and weigh up to 423 kg (about 933 pounds). Females are smaller, the largest measuring 2.4 metres (7.9 feet) long and weighing as much as 168 kg (370 pounds). The tiger is a solitary hunter that preys on wild boars ( Sus scrofa), badgers, raccoon dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides), various types of deer(especially sika [ Cervus nippon]), and even small Asiatic black bears ( Ursus thibetanus).

Prior to 2008 the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) listed the Siberian tiger as a critically endangered species, but the tiger's status has been upgraded to endangered. Siberian tiger populations are disconnected, with roughly 90 percent residing in the Sikhote-Alin mountain region in Primorye. Although the IUCN considers the global population to be stable, the tiger's recovery has been slow because of the ongoing pressures of poaching, declines in habitat size and quality due to logging and forest fires, falling populations of prey, and a lack of genetic diversity in the subspecies (stemming from a population crash caused by overhunting, in which only 20-30 individuals survived in the 1930s).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica John P. Rafferty.

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Siberian tiger | Size, Habitat, Population, & Facts

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Siberian tiger, (subspecies Panthera tigris altaica), subspecies of tiger (Pantheria tigris) inhabiting the cold-climate forests of the Primorye and Khabarovsk territories of far-eastern Russia as well as northeastern China. In appearance, the Siberian tiger is distinguished from other tiger

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The Siberian tiger, a subspecies of tiger, is the largest cat in the world. It averages about 3.3 m (11 ft.) in length, with a tail measuring 1 m (3 ft.). Adult male Siberian tigers can weigh up to 320 kg (700 lb.), while females are significantly smaller, weighing up to 180 kg (400 lb.).

Siberian tigers are distinguishable by their striped fur. Similar to people's unique fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Siberian tigers differ from other tigers because they have fewer, paler stripes, and they also have manes. The mane, in addition to their thick fur, helps keep them warm.

Also known as the Amur tiger, the Siberian tiger resides in a small region in the southeast region Russia. They are also located in small numbers in China and North Korea.

Siberian tigers are solitary animals, marking their scent on trees to keep other tigers away. They roam many miles and hunt often. They stalk their prey, which include elk, boar, bears, and deer, until they are close enough to pounce. When successful, they drag their kill to a secluded area before devouring the meat.Tigers also hunt smaller animals like rabbits, pikas, and fish.

Because tigers are not always successful on their hunts, they need to hunt often. They can eat up to 27 kg (60 lb.) if they are very hungry, but generally they eat about 9 kg (20 lb.) of meat in one sitting.

The gestation period in Siberian tigers is 3-3.5 months. Female tigers give birth once every two years at any point during the year.

A litter consists of two to six cubs. The mother tiger will care for the cubs by herself, at times, leaving the babies alone while she hunts. Often she cannot catch enough food for the cubs, and some will die.

At 3 months, the babies will be able to leave the den; they may even go on hunts with their mother. At 18 months old, they are able to hunt on their own, but will not leave their mother's den. When they reach 2-3 years old, they will leave the den and begin life on their own.

Conservation Status

Siberian tigers are considered endangered by IUCN's Red List. One cause of their dwindling population is loss of habitat due to deforestation. In addition, Siberian tigers are poached, or illegally hunted, for their fur and for body parts that are used for traditional medicines.

Efforts have been made to curb poaching of tigers and to protect tiger habitats. Many countries, including the United States, have created laws that outlaw the importation and selling of tiger parts. There are also breeding programs to help sustain the tiger population.

Siberian Tiger Distribution

Tiger Resources

Blog Posts about the Siberian Tiger

About the Author

P.A. Smith is a middle school Language Arts teacher. He is also a contributing editor of My House Rabbit.

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Siberian Tiger Facts | Amur Tigers | Endangered Animals

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Similar to people's unique fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Learn more Siberian tiger facts at Animal Fact Guide.

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Species Spotlight: Siberian Tiger | Pages | WWF

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What is a group of tigers called?Tigers are mostly solitary, but when they come together the group is called a streak—or an ambush.

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The Siberian Tiger is the biggest cat in the world.

There is only one species of tiger (Panthera tigris) but there are nine subspecies, three extinct and six living subspecies.

The Baili tiger, Javan tiger, and Caspian tiger are considered extinct today.

Six living subspecies:
Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
Indo-Chinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti)
Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris. malayensis)
Siberian or Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
South China tiger (Panthera tigris. amoyensis)
Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, is the largest cat in the world. A male can weigh around 500 to 600 pounds or more and be nearly 11 feet (3.3 m) long. Males are larger than females.

Tigress and cub at Buffalo Zoo.

Distribution of the Siberian tiger (in red)

Siberian tigers primarily lives in eastern Russia's birch forests. A small number live in parts of northeastern China and North Korea. The Siberian tiger once lived in Siberia (large land area in central and eastern Russia), today they are also called Amur tigers becasue of the smaller area they live in Russia is restricted to eastern Russia (Amur region).

Siberian tigers live in very cold areas. They roam the forests with ground often covered in snow. Their large paws act like snowshoes, which keeps the Siberian tiger from sinking into the snow. A male's front paws can be six to eight inches (15-20cm) wide and over seven inches (17 cm)long. The pads on the Siberian tigers feet allows it to walk silently.

Body

The Siberian tigers body is covered in thick, long fur, that keeps it warm. During the winter, its fur grows thicker and longer to help keep it warm. Siberian tigers are distingushable by their striped fur. No two tigers have the same stripped pattern. They use their striped coats as camouflage, it is difficult to see them in the forest.

Siberian tigers are rusty-red or rusty-yellow with dark brown stripes, they have white fur on their face, underbelly, and paws. It has yellow irises and round pupils in its eyes. It hunts mainly at night and relies on its excellent night vision, which is 6 times better than that of a human.

Behavior

The Siberian tiger is a mammal. It mainly lives alone and is highly territorial. A male may share its territory with females but not other males. Siberian tigers can mate at any time of the year. It takes about 110 days for a young cub to be born. The female can give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs. The cubs are born blind and defenseless, they need their mother to protect and feed them.

Siberian tigers can run at speed of 50 miles per hour (80.47 km/h ). However they can maintain that speed for only a short time. Siberian tigers can climb trees, especially when they are young but as an adult their size makes climbing difficult. Siberian tigers are considered superb swimmers and they often hunt in water.

Diet

Siberian tigers are carnivores (meat eaters) and are at the top of the food chain. They are powerful making them excellent hunters. They have powerful jaws and like other cats like to sneak up and pounce on their prey. A hungry Siberian tiger can eat up to 60 pounds in one night.

Siberian tigers diet consist of small prey and large prey. Deer and wild boar is its many food. It will also feed upon lynx and bear. It will also feed on smaller prey such as fish and rabbits.

Siberian tigers eat wild boars, deer, water buffalo, moose, gazelle, hares, rabbits, musk deer, lynx and jackals. However, its main diet consists of wild boar. They also sometimes hunt birds and fish such as salmon.

Recommended Book

Children learn to graph as they follow the growth of an orphaned Siberian tiger cub.

A Siberian tiger cub born at the Denver Zoo is orphaned when he is just a few weeks old. At first T. J. refuses to eat his new food, and it requires the full attention of the zoo staff to ensure that he grows into a huge, beautiful, and very healthy tiger.

Children follow T.J. as he grows with wonderful photographs, graphs, and narrative. Students love this book!

Make

Snap Ups Tiger

Download patterns and instructions to make the Snap Ups Tiger. This is a fun paper craft of a cute tiger, that springs up into the air. Push the tiger's body from the side to make him flat, hold him down with your finger, then quickly let go and watch how the rubber band makes him jump!

Sites to See

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A to Z Kids Stuff | Siberian Tiger Facts for Children

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The Siberian Tiger is the biggest cat in the world. There is only one species of tiger (Panthera tigris) but there are nine subspecies, three extinct and six living subspecies. The Baili tiger, Javan tiger, and Caspian tiger are considered extinct today.

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National Geographic Article - Hooray for Siberian Tigers!

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National Geographic Article - Hooray for Siberian Tigers!

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New numbers show great news for these Russian big cats.
Published August 18, 2015
After days on her own, a four-month-old Siberian tiger cub is discovered in the extreme cold of eastern Russia. Her mother, likely killed by a poacher, is nowhere in sight-so she's rushed to the home of a local wildlife official. The cub's barely breathing, but rescuers get her the care she needs. Less than a year and a half later, the tiger returns to the wild.

Life-saving efforts like this are paying off. Today these endangered tigers seem to be on the rebound in Russia, according to a recent count taken between late 2014 and early 2015. Heavy poaching caused the Siberian tiger's numbers to decline in the past. But thanks to more people watching over the big cats, a stronger economy that discouraged people from making money by selling tiger parts, and stricter laws against poaching and illegal wildlife trading,the big cats are making a comeback.

Between 480 and 540 of the subspecies-also known as Amur tigers-now roam in parts of Russia, says the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. That's an increase of about 15 percent since 2005, according to ministry head Sergey Donskoy.

To find the new evidence, government officials and conservationists worked together to search for tiger tracks, scat, and markings like claw scratches on trees in an area roughly the size of Illinois. In some places the team also used camera traps to capture images of the animals.

Most scientists agree that there now appear to be enough Siberian tigers that will continue to breed and produce a healthy population. But the big cats still face challenges. Illegal logging-which destroys habitat-and the demand for tiger parts put the animals in danger.

Luckily, organizations can use this new information to figure out how to best protect these wild cats and their habitat. That way, conservationists can help more tigers earn their stripes for many decades to come.
Text from "Watch: Tiger Numbers Growing in Russia-But Will It Last?" by John Wendle for National Geographic News Adapted by Rose Davidson, NGS Staff

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New numbers show great news for these Russian big cats. Published August 18, 2015 After days on her own, a four-month-old Siberian tiger cub is discovered in the extreme cold of eastern Russia. Her mother, likely killed by a poacher, is nowhere in sight-so she's rushed to the home of a local wildlife official.

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The largest living felid (cat) in the world, Amur tigers were formerly known as Siberian tigers. Their name changed to reflect their habitat.

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Fun and Amazing Siberian Tiger Facts for Kids – Fun Facts 4 Kids

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The Siberian tiger may be one of the coolest, largest cats you could ever see or learn about. They are solitary animals and you most likely will never be able to find one in the wild. There are only nine different types of tigers. Six of them are endangered and 3 are already extinct.