A baby tiger is called a cub. Born blind at just 2-3 pounds, it grows into the largest cat on Earth within 2 years.
Born blind and helpless. Weighs 2-3 lbs. Completely dependent on mother. Eyes sealed shut.
Baby blues appear. Still can't see well. Start wobbling around the den.
Follow mother out of den. Start eating meat. Still nursing. Play-fight with siblings.
Mother brings live prey to practice on. Still clumsy hunters. Growing fast — 100+ lbs.
Can hunt small prey alone. Nearly full size. Still following mother's lead.
Leave mother. Males roam solo. Females may stay near mother's territory.
Born with spotted fur that fades as they grow
Only 1 in 4 cubs survives to adulthood in the wild
Cubs play-fight to develop hunting skills
No two tigers have the same stripe pattern — even cubs
A cub can eat 20+ pounds of meat per day by age 1
Cubs are born in a den that the mother prepares in secret
Mother carries cubs by the scruff of the neck
A 6-month-old cub is already larger than a full-grown leopard