The Siberian tiger has adapted to a northern environment by losing the distinctive red stripes seen in its southern relatives. Each tiger has a unique stripe pattern, which can be used to identify individuals. Tigers can live as long as 25 years if allowed to roam free in their indigenous habitat. An adult female tiger needs at least 190 square miles of habitat for herself and her cubs. Males need slightly more, but their range overlaps that of several females.
Tigers mate at any time of year.
Tiger cubs are born blind and helpless, about the size of a housecat, but are weaned at 6 months and are independent at 18 months. Young tigers start hunting on their own before they are a year old but don't leave their mothers to establish their own territories until the age of 3. Only one cub from each litter usually survives to maturity. An adult tiger needs 12 to 15 pounds of food a day. They can run very fast, but only for short distances, so if prey eludes them quickly, they have to start over.