The Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris altaica) is also known as the Siberian Tiger, the Manchurian Tiger, or the Korean Tiger. It is a large wild cat, and a mammal.

The Amur Tiger is reddish-rusty brown with narrow black transverse stripes. It has short legs and a long tail. It has moderately thick, coarse fur. The winter coat is thicker, longer, softer, and silkier. It has whiskers and hair on the back of its head and the top of its neck is elongated.

 

Along with the Bengal Tiger, the Amur Tiger is one of the largest tigers in the world, measuring 150 centimetres (60 inches) in length. The average tail measures 91-99 centimetres (36-39 inches) long. Its whiskers are 9-11 centimetres (4-5 inches) long.

The Amur Tiger is native to the Russian Far East and northeast China.

It feeds on wapiti, deer, goral, moose, wild boar, hares, rabbits, pikas, and sometimes salmon. It is crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk.

The female is pregnant for 90-104 days, before giving birth to a litter of 2-4 young, called cubs, in a sheltered den. The cubs are born blind. Female cubs remain close to their mother, whereas male cubs travel alone to look for food.

The average lifespan for the Amur Tiger is 16-18 years.

 

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM