What is a life cycle of a tiger?

Tigers have a typical life cycle that follows a specific pattern:

  1. Birth: A female tiger gives birth to a litter of 2-4 cubs after a gestation period of about 3-4 months. The cubs are born blind and helpless, weighing only a few pounds.

  2. Infancy: For the first few weeks of their lives, tiger cubs rely on their mother's milk. They are unable to see or hear and stay hidden in a den to avoid predators. However, as they grow, they become more active and playful.

  3. Adolescence: At around 2-3 months of age, tiger cubs start to venture out of the den and explore their surroundings. They learn important survival skills such as hunting, stalking, and pouncing on prey. They also become more independent from their mother.

  4. Maturity: By the age of 2-3 years, tigers reach maturity and are fully developed in terms of their size and physical abilities. They are capable of hunting on their own and establish their own territories.

  5. Reproduction: Tigers reach reproductive age at around 3-4 years old. They may establish their own territories and mate with other tigers to produce the next generation of cubs.

  6. Senescence: As tigers age, they may experience a decline in their physical abilities. Older tigers may struggle to hunt or defend their territories, making them more vulnerable to other predators. Tigers typically live for 10-15 years in the wild.

Overall, the life cycle of a tiger is characterized by a period of growth and development, followed by maturity and reproduction, and ultimately senescence. However, tigers face many challenges throughout their lives, including habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans, which threaten their survival as a species.