Panthera tigris

TigersLargest of the cat speciesDark orange to white in color with black or dark brown stripes.Slender bodies with powerful muscles. Good swimmers.Very good eyesight, especially at night.

Territorial and solitary animals: Males (tiger): 60-100km2

Females (tigress): 20km2

Sexual maturity: Female 3-4 years; male 4-5 years

Estrus cycle: every 3-9 weeks

Ovulation: induced ovulators

Polygamus

Gestation period: 14-16 weeks

Litter size: 1-6 cubs

Size and weight: Female 200- 275cm (79-108 in); 65-167kgs (143-368 lbs). Male 250-390cm (98-154in); 90-306kgs (198-675lbs).

Birth wt.:680-1400g

Lifespan: 20-26 years in captivity, relatively the same in the wild.

Weaning: 6 months; 24 months cubs can be removed from parents

Biggest And SmallestThe Siberian tiger is the largest tiger in the world. The male can grow to be about 600 pounds. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest tiger, weighing in at 268 pounds.

Panthera tigris altaica

Panthera tigris sumatrae

Reproduction

Mating generally more common between November and AprilFemale is only receptive for 3-6 daysA pair will copulate frequently and noisily, like other catsGestation period: 93-112 daysLitter size: 1-6 cubsCub birth weight: 680-1400g

DietsFed about 4-7% of their body wt. a day. Usually at 6-12kgs/day given once a day. Fish meat is usually not preferred.

Increase diet to ad libitum during lactationBones are given twice a week

For raw meat (daily consumption):females: 3.6 kgmales: 4.8 kg

Tigers need….

High protein and fat dietsInclusion of dietary Vitamin A (retinol) 15,000IU/kg maximumArachidonic acidTaurineNiacin Vitamin D3

Restraint

Physical restraint

Chemical restraint: Diazepam, Zolitel, Ketamine/Xylazine, Halothane, Isopfluorane, Medetomidine

Problems in managing tigers

Feeding and health problems

Deprived sex life

Hunting and territorial skills are denied

Costly

Difficulty in mimicking the natural habitat

Stress