Quick answer
The Siberian tiger — also called the Amur tiger — is the world's largest tiger subspecies and the largest wild cat on Earth. Males average 180–306 kg and over 3 m in length. Unlike its tropical relatives, it has a thick, pale coat and a heavy fat layer for surviving temperatures below -40°C. Around 500–600 remain in the wild, mostly in Russia's Primorsky and Khabarovsk regions — a recovery from near-extinction, with roughly 40 surviving in the 1940s.
Key facts
| Scientific name | Panthera tigris altaica |
| Also known as | Amur tiger, Manchurian tiger, Ussuri tiger |
| Weight (male) | 180–306 kg (up to 330 kg exceptional) |
| Weight (female) | 100–167 kg |
| Length (nose to tail) | Up to 3.3 m (males) |
| Coat | Pale orange with widely spaced dark stripes; thick underfur |
| Range | Russian Far East — Primorsky and Khabarovsk regions; small numbers in NE China |
| Habitat | Temperate boreal forest (taiga), Korean pine forests |
| Wild population | ~500–600 (current estimate) |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |
| Lifespan (wild) | 10–15 years |
| Primary prey | Sika deer, roe deer, wild boar, Manchurian elk |
The world's largest cat
The Siberian tiger holds the record for the largest wild cat on Earth. Large males in good condition can weigh over 300 kg and exceed 3 m from nose to tip of tail. In direct comparison with a Bengal tiger — its nearest rival in size — the Siberian is typically heavier and longer-bodied, with a broader head and proportionally longer limbs adapted for moving through deep snow.
Historical records from the early 20th century describe individuals of exceptional size, including one verified at 384 kg. Modern wild animals tend to be lighter, partly because the prey base is leaner than it once was. Captive Siberian tigers — on a controlled diet — are often heavier than their wild counterparts.
Adaptations for extreme cold
The Siberian tiger's range includes some of the harshest winter conditions endured by any large predator. Temperatures in the Sikhote-Alin range regularly drop below -30°C (-22°F) and can reach -40°C. The tiger has evolved a suite of adaptations for survival:
- Coat: Thicker and paler than tropical subspecies, with longer guard hairs and a dense underfur. The paler colour also provides better camouflage in snow-dusted boreal forest.
- Fat reserves: A thick layer of fat on the flanks and belly provides insulation and energy reserves during winter when prey is scarcer.
- Paw size: Wide feet that distribute weight across snow, acting like natural snowshoes.
- Limb length: Proportionally longer legs than tropical subspecies, enabling the tiger to walk through deeper snow without its belly dragging.
- Mane-like ruff: Thicker fur around the neck and jowls that is absent in most other subspecies.
Range and habitat
The Siberian tiger's stronghold is the Sikhote-Alin mountain range in Russia's Primorsky Krai (Maritime Province) and the southern part of Khabarovsk Krai. This is a landscape of temperate boreal forest — taiga — dominated by Korean pine, Mongolian oak, and Korean pines interspersed with rivers and valley forest. It is a productive forest by Asian standards, supporting the prey populations a large cat needs.
A small population has recovered in northeastern China's Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, and individuals have occasionally been recorded in North Korea. These cross-border populations are important for long-term genetic connectivity.
Home ranges are enormous by felid standards — males hold territories of 800–1,000 km² or more, reflecting the lower prey density of boreal forest compared to tropical habitats. Territories of overlapping females are smaller, around 200–400 km².
Conservation: from near-extinction to recovery
The Siberian tiger's story is one of the most dramatic wildlife recoveries in history. By the late 1940s, hunting, habitat loss, and prey depletion had reduced the wild population to an estimated 40 individuals. The Soviet Union introduced strict protections in 1947, banning hunting and establishing reserves in the Sikhote-Alin range. By the 1980s, the population had climbed to around 500.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, economic disruption led to a rise in poaching and loss of anti-poaching enforcement. The population declined again before recovering through the combined efforts of Russian wildlife authorities, WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and Panthera. Current estimates put the wild population at 500–600 — the largest wild tiger population of any subspecies.
The main ongoing threats are poaching (both of tigers and of their prey), habitat fragmentation from logging and road building, and conflict with humans. Retaliatory killing of tigers that prey on domestic livestock remains a significant issue.
Siberian tiger: FAQs
Is the Siberian tiger the biggest cat in the world?
Yes — the Siberian tiger (also called the Amur tiger) is the largest living wild cat and the largest tiger subspecies. Large males in the wild average around 180–306 kg and over 3 m from nose to tail. Some historical records suggest individuals over 330 kg, though these are exceptional. The closest rival in size is the Bengal tiger; the Siberian is typically heavier and longer-bodied.
How many Siberian tigers are left in the wild?
Surveys estimate approximately 500–600 Siberian (Amur) tigers remain in the wild, making it the largest wild tiger population of any subspecies. Around 95% of these live in the Sikhote-Alin mountain range in Russia's Far East (Primorsky and Khabarovsk regions). A small number live in northeastern China and possibly North Korea. The population has recovered from a low of around 40 individuals in the 1940s due to decades of protection.
Why is the Siberian tiger called the Amur tiger?
The name 'Amur tiger' refers to the Amur River — the river that forms part of the border between Russia and China in the region where the subspecies lives. 'Amur' is increasingly preferred in conservation literature because it is more geographically precise: the tiger's range centres on the Amur watershed, not on Siberia as a whole. 'Siberian tiger' remains the more widely recognised common name internationally.
How does the Siberian tiger survive Russian winters?
The Siberian tiger is specifically adapted for extreme cold. It has a thicker, paler coat than tropical subspecies — with longer guard hairs and a dense underfur that traps air and insulates against temperatures that can drop below -40°C (-40°F). It also has a thick layer of subcutaneous fat, particularly on the flanks and belly. Its feet are wide, which helps distribute weight on snow, and its limbs are proportionally longer than those of southern subspecies, helping it wade through deep snow.
What does the Siberian tiger eat?
The Siberian tiger's primary prey is the Siberian roe deer, sika deer, and wild boar, supplemented by Manchurian elk (wapiti), Siberian musk deer, and — in some areas — brown bears. An adult tiger needs roughly 9–10 kg of meat per day on average, which means killing large prey every few days. Like all tigers, it is an ambush predator that relies on stealth and a final explosive charge rather than sustained pursuit.
What is the difference between a Siberian tiger and a Bengal tiger?
The Siberian tiger is generally larger and heavier, with a paler, longer coat and more widely spaced stripes adapted to snowy terrain. The Bengal tiger has a richer, deeper orange-and-black coat suited to denser jungle. Their ranges are entirely separate: Siberian tigers live in the Russian Far East; Bengal tigers live across the Indian subcontinent. Both subspecies are Endangered on the IUCN Red List.