The Tiger Cubs

The Tiger Cubs

Always on the move, nature has thus chalked a relatively smaller gestation period of 105 days for the species. That’s the reason tiger cubs when born are tiny, blind and helpless – no problem, nature has been generous here too.

To ensure the survival of the species, a tigress gives birth to six cubs, so even if the infant mortality is high due to their dependency on the mother, at least a few survive. On an average, only two cubs are able to make it to adulthood.

Tiny blind cubs are brought up with great care and affection by the mother. This affectionate relationship of the mother and cubs has surprized many a biologist and hunters, who at different times have seen the other side of the tiger’s nature.

As a rule, only the female takes care of the cubs, but in Ranthambore, an unusual photograph was taken by Fateh Singh Rathore showing father, mother and their two cubs sitting leisurely in a water pool.

The cubs don’t go out hunting until they are three months old. The mother changes her lair frequently in order to avoid intrusions by other predators while she is away on a hunt. The cubs are trained to be disciplined right from their early childhood. A carefully worked out scheme of vocal symbols further guides the cubs to hide or to come out to greet the mother.

One of the earliest lessons for the cubs is to pounce on their mother’s tail, which she constantly shifts to dodge them. Cubs also play a lot among themselves, pulling each other’s tails and biting ears.

They also learn the stalking and treading techniques from the mother and may occasionally kill a small squirrel for fun. Once the cubs are three months old they accompany their mother; first observing everything from a safe distance and later gradually participating – slowly they learn the tricks of the trade.


¤ Survival of The Fittest
If lucky, the tiger cubs reach adulthood (many a times the male tiger kills the cubs if they are not his own so as to win the female). The young cubs stay with their mother till they are 1 ½ to 2 ½ years old.

Once they attain the age of adulthood they leave the protective cover of their mother, the males have to vacate their father’s territory or risk confrontation. The territory of the male tiger in the prey-rich area can be as large as 50-100km. This territory is shared by at least three females. The female agrees to live in the tiger’s territory for reasons of security, food and progeny assurance and the male for the reasons most obvious.

The young tiger may require to travel quite far, never to return to his place of his birth. This process ensures the exchange of the genes, essential for the healthy growth of a species. He may have to compete with the rivals and may even get hurt or killed in the process.