Female tigers give birth in a secluded den to two to three cubs, but litters may range from one to six cubs. The female rears the cubs alone. After a week or two, the cub's eyes open and its first teeth begin to grow. Young nurse for three to six months, and begin to follow their mother on hunts at 5 to 6 months of age. Cubs will not hunt alone, however, until they are 18-30 months old.
Young tigers leave their mother at about the same age to look for their own territory and to mate.
Built to Kill Tigers are built to kill large prey. Their hindlimbs are longer than their forelimbs, enabling the tiger to jump long distances. Tigers have heavily muscled forelimbs and shoulders, and paws equipped with long, retractable claws, which enable them to grab prey and drag it to the ground. A killing bite is delivered with powerful jaws and long canines. Tigers are mostly solitary animals, except during mating and when females are with cubs.