They also leave scratch marks on trees. After eating a lot, they often do not eat again for several days. Over much of the tiger's broad geographic range, wild pig, wild cattle and several species of deer are its major prey. Unlike wild tigers which kill their prey and then gorge, tigers that live in zoos eat a prepared diet of horse meat and vitamins daily. They may eat as much as 10 pounds of meat per day.
Tigers are normally solitary, except for females with cubs.
Mating takes place all year round. Gestation is around 103 days and an average litter is two or three cubs. Cubs reach independence between 18 and 28 months. Females first breed after three years and usually reproduce every two years until they are about nine or 10 years old. The average breeding life of a female is 6.1 years.