The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, is a subspecies of the tiger subspecies Panthera tigris tigris, native to Northeast China, the Russian Far East and possibly North Korea.
Though the climate in the Russian birch forests can be harsh, this tiger subspecies has adapted to the high altitude, severe environment, and lengthy winters of these northern regions.
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It once ranged throughout the Korean Peninsula, but currently inhabits mainly the Sikhote-Alin mountain region in south-west Primorye Province in the Russian Far East. In 2005, there were 331–393 adult and subadult Siberian tigers in this region, with a breeding adult population of about 250 individuals.
The population had been stable for more than a decade because of intensive conservation efforts, but partial surveys conducted after 2005 indicate that the Russian tiger population was declining.
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However, the Siberian tiger is genetically close to the now-extinct Caspian tiger. The Amur tiger has a lifespan of 15-20 years in the wild, while up to 26 years in captivity.
Their size is about 6-10 ft (2-3m) long, and they weigh 200-575 lbs (100-261 kg). Their skin colour is light orange, and their coat has dark brown or black stripes and a cream-colored underbelly. While humans remain their predators, they are Carnivorous, and they feed on elk, wild pigs, deer, rabbits, etc.
Their top speed is 65 kph (40 mph), with just 1 species and 2 subspecies, their conservation status is endangered.
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Though their population has increased over the past decade due to conservation efforts, hunting and encroachment on natural habitats still pose a threat to their survival.
The Siberian tiger has a different appearance from other tigers. Because of the colder temperature, their coat are longer and thicker than other tigers, as well. They have a thick mane around their neck and additional hair on their wide paws to keep them warm.
They are formidable hunters who travel long distances at night to find food, such as elk and wild boar. Tigers hunt using their unusual coats as camouflage. They lie in wait and get near enough to attack their victims with a rapid spring and a lethal pounce.
14 Astonishing Siberian Tiger Facts
1. Siberian Tigers Are The World’s Largest Cat
While tigers may be the largest among big cats, Siberian tigers are the largest within the species. A male Siberian tiger may grow to reach 10 feet long from head to tail and weigh up to 575 pounds.
For a comparison, a male Siberian tiger can be as long as a station wagon and weigh about half as much as a grand piano. Females are smaller, typically weighing 240 to 290 pounds.
In captivity, the largest tiger on record is a male Siberian tiger called Jaipur, who was owned by an American animal trainer named Joan Byron Marasek. In 1986, at the age of nine years old, Jaipur measured 3.32 m (10 ft 11 in) long and weighed 423 kg (932 lb).
2. They Are The Only Tigers That Can Survive In Snow
Aside from their size, Amur tigers have various adaptations to help combat the cold. Siberian tigers’ coats grow thicker and longer than other tiger species.
These cats also have “winter boots” fitted into their paws to protect them from the frigid snow, and a layer of fat on their belly to help keep out the cold.
3. They Rarely Leave Their Territory
Though Siberian tigers are always on the go in search of prey, they do much of their roaming within their region. If there is enough prey within the bounds of their domain, they never leave.
The size of the habitat varies depending on the gender, age, and quantity of prey in the area. Tigers with cubs, for example, hunt in a significantly narrower area than single animals. They will mark their territory with their scent or leave markings on trees with their claws.
4. No Two Tigers Have The Same Stripes
Just like humans have fingerprints, each tiger has its unique pattern.
Siberian tigers also have the palest orange coat and the fewest stripes of any tiger species. This is to help them blend in with their snow-covered habitat. They also have black and white spots behind their ears that allow the cubs to easily follow their mother through the forest.
4. They Like To Stay By The Water
Unlike most cats, tigers love the water and are excellent swimmers. Because of their thick coats, they will submerge themselves in rivers during the summer months to keep cool.
Staying near water is also a great way to find food. Tigers not only hunt prey on land, but also fish. During the mating season, tigers will often catch fish in mountain rivers.
6. Tiger Cubs Are Born Blind
For the first two months, tiger cubs are completely reliant on their mother. The eyes of a tiger cub open between six and twelve days after birth. However, they still won’t achieve full eyesight until a few weeks later.
The tigress is exclusively responsible for the cubs’ security and care during this period, which is why she only leaves them for brief periods.
7. Cubs Begin Hunting At Eight Months Old
Around two months of age, cubs will begin to follow their moms out of the cave. They do not, however, take part in the hunt at this time. Instead, they wait in a secure location for their mother to return with the food.
It isn’t until they are about eight-month-old that the mother will begin teaching her cubs to hunt. Tiger cubs spend the most of their time playing with their siblings and their mother. Playing helps developing tiger kittens learn vital life skills including stalking, pouncing, swatting, and climbing.
The tigress’s primary priority is teaching her cubs how to hunt and defend themselves before they set off on their own.
8. They Have Stronger Night Vision, Six Times Better Than Humans
Tigers have more rods than cones in their eyes to help with night vision. The increased number of rods enables them to detect prey movement in conditions when colour vision would be ineffective.
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Tigers also have a structure called the tapetum lucidum in the rear of the eye, behind the retina, that allows them to see better at night. This mirror-like structure reflects light into the eye for a second time, aiding in the production of a brighter picture. When a light is put on their eyes at night, this is what causes them to glow.
9. They Are Extremely Patient Hunters
Tigers spend a significant amount of time hunting. They are extremely strong and have highly developed sensory organs. Only one out of every 10 efforts is successful. If the effort fails, the tiger prefers to look for a new victim rather than following the previous one.
10. Siberian Tigers Can Eat Up To 60 Pounds In One Night
To survive in the frigid temperature, an adult must consume around 20lbs (9 kg) of food every day. A hungry tiger may consume up to 60lbs (27 kg) in one night; however, they normally consume less.
11. Siberian Tigers Are Highly Revered
Throughout many cultures, tigers are seen as heavenly spirits.
In Siberia and Eastern Russia, the tiger is known as the guardian of the forest. The Indigenous peoples of this area view the tiger as a spirit who protects the forest and keeps nature in balance. The Tungusic people even refer to a tiger as “Grandfather” or “Old Man.”
In China, tigers are symbolized as the protections of goodness and the destruction of evil. They are also seen as a balancing force opposite the dragon. While the dragon represents yang (masculine energy), the tiger represents yin (feminine energy).
12. War Has Taken A Toll On The Tiger Population
Siberian tigers once widely populated the Korean peninsula. So many that it was known as the land of tigers.
However, during the Japanese colonial period between 1910 and 1945, hundreds or thousands of wild animals, including bears, tigers, leopards, and wolves, were hunted down or killed every year by the Japanese under the excuse of protecting people from the animals.
In October 1921, the last Korean tiger was reportedly shot dead on Mt. Daedeok in Gyeongju.
13. The Siberian Tiger Is South Korea’s National Animal
The tiger holds a deep status in South Korean culture. Siberian tigers often show up in Korean folklore and mythology as divinities or the soul of gods.
They are also represented in various paintings and sculptures throughout Korean history. For this reason, the Siberian tiger (or Korean tiger as it is known within the country) is named the national animal of South Korea.
14. The Sub-species Has Been Making A Comeback, But Still Faces Many Threats
In 2008 the IUCN Red Lest of Threatened Species switch the status of Siberian tigers from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN). This is considered to be a remarkable comeback since the population fell as low as 20 in the 1930s.
However, these tigers are still at risk. According to the Amur Tiger Center in Russia, 20-30 tigers are poached each year in the country. This accounts for 7-85% of all Siberian tiger deaths.
Tigers are mainly poached for their fur and their body parts for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
