Tigers are one of the most well-known of all of the big cats and are the most recognizable among all animals in general. Recently, a wild tiger was spotted in Knoxville, Tenessee. While they are on the search to find this amazing animal, we should learn more about the tiger.
Physical Description and Behavior
Females are able to get pregnant for only 3 to 6 days every 3 to 9 weeks. Once they do get pregnant, it takes 3 to 4 months for them to give birth. Average litters are about 2 to 3 cubs, which will stay with their mom until they are 3 to 4 years of age. Wild tigers can live up into their 20's, although they are far more likely to only live until the age of 10.
Fun fact: Tigers make awful fathers. They only impregnate female tigers and then bail, leaving the mother to take care of the young alone.
Tigers do not eat on a daily basis, but when they do eat, it is often at night. They rely entirely on meat, eating deer, elk, sambar, water buffalo, and sometimes even crocodiles and deer. They can eat 18 to 40 kg of meat in one sitting, but it can be days before their next meal.
Habitat and Location
Despite being so popular, tigers are considered to be endangered according to the IUCN Red List.
Tigers used to be seen from Eastern Turkey all the way east to Manchuria. They could also be found in Afghanistan, Iran, Thailand, Vietnam Malaysia, and even the island of Java. Nowadays, they can usually be found in small parts of China, Korea, Russia, and India. They can also be found in cages called "zoos" all across the world.
You can find out more about this fearsome and majestic animal by checking out the video by National Geographic below:
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