Breeding Habits

During the mating season, tigers communicate with each other over long distances with a loud roar. Tigers can breed at any time of year, but they usually mate in winter or spring. The mating period lasts 20 to 30 days. If a female does not find a mate at the right time, she may come on heat again later.

On average, they give birth to 2 to 3 cubs every 2 to 2.5 years, sometimes 3 to 4 years; if they all die, a second litter may be produced within 5 months. Gestation is usually 104-106 days and births occur in a cave, a rocky crevice, or in dense vegetation. 

A newborn cub weighs 800-1,500 gms. It is 31-40 cm from head to tail. Its eyes usually open by the 10th day. Milk teeth appear after 2 weeks.

Absent father
During its first 8 weeks, the cubs drink their mother's milk and will be fed on meat by their mother for 5 to 6 months. The mother usually brings up the cubs single-handedly whilst the father takes no responsibility in the rearing of its young.

When the cubs are 2 months old, the mother brings them out of the den. The cubs are playful, adventurous, and curious about the world around them. The tigress has now to provide not only for herself but also for the young ones.

When she hunts, she takes care not to leave the cubs alone for too long. At first, she brings them small prey animals. After 6 months the cubs are old enough to be left alone for several days. The young tigers become independent around 18 months of age, but it is not until they are around 2-2.5 years old that they leave their mother.

About half of all cubs do not survive beyond 2 years of age.