The life cycle of a tiger begins with a litter of cubs, usually born after a gestation period of about 3.5 months. A typical litter consists of two to four cubs.

Born blind and helpless, tigers rely entirely on their mother for warmth, protection and nourishment. The first few months are critical as cub mortality is high, and many do not survive to adulthood due to predation, disease and competition for food.

Advertisement

As they grow, tiger cubs begin to explore their surroundings and learn essential survival skills from their mother. By the time they are about six months old, they start accompanying their mother on hunts, although they do not participate in the kill.

At around 18 to 24 months, the young tigers are ready to leave their mother and establish their own territories. This dispersal is crucial for maintaining healthy wild tiger populations, as it prevents inbreeding and ensures genetic diversity.

In the wild, tigers typically live for about 10 to 15 years. Captive tigers, on the other hand, can live up to 20 years or more, though life in captivity presents its own challenges and limitations.