The Amur tiger—also called the Siberian tiger—is the largest big cat in the world, with adult males weighing over 600 pounds and stretching up to 10 feet long! These tigers live in the cold, snowy forests of the Russian Far East and northeastern China, where they roam huge territories in search of food.
To survive the frigid winters, Amur tigers have a thick, fluffy coat, long whiskers, and even fur between their toes to help them walk on snow. Their orange fur with black stripes helps them blend into the forest, even in winter, and every tiger’s stripes are as unique as a fingerprint.
Amur tigers are solitary hunters that use their strength and stealth to catch deer, wild boar, and other prey. They’re excellent swimmers and can run in short bursts of speed to ambush their meal. Despite their power, they hunt only a few times a week—and a missed meal can mean days of searching before they try again.
These tigers are endangered, with only a few hundred left in the wild. But thanks to international conservation efforts and zoo breeding programs, their numbers are slowly increasing. Many zoos participate in Species Survival Plans (SSPs) to protect the genetic health of Amur tigers in captivity and raise awareness for their wild cousins.
In zoos, Amur tigers are often featured in large, naturalistic enclosures that include pools, trees, and shaded areas for climbing, playing, and lounging.
