Sumatran Tigers - Pictures

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Sumatran Tigers - Reproduction and Life Cycle

Sumatran Tigers have no particular mating time and can mate any time. However, spring and winter are common breeding times. As a rule, Sumatran Tigers reach sexual maturity by the age of 4 years, although individual species can start breeding earlier. A male and female, that are normally solitary, come together to produce a litter of cubs. The father does not take part in rearing the young.

A litter size ranges from1 to 6 cubs and is 2-4 cubs on the average. They are very small at birth and weigh no more than 4 pounds. Some cubs are born blind and open their eyes by the age of 10 days. Some cubs (especially at the zoo) open the eyes immediately after birth. The mother tenderly cares for them and protects from predators.

Generally, little Sumatran Tigers are wholly dependent on the female during the first months of age. They are fed on mother's milk until they are about 8 weeks old. By the age of 2 months, they start leaving the den and learn to hunt. At 18-months old, the Sumatran Tiger is capable of killing on its own, yet does not leave the mother until it is 2 years of age. Sumatran Tigers give birth every 2-2.5 years.

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