Quick answer
Tigers are the largest living cat species, reaching up to 300 kg (660 lb). They are solitary, primarily nocturnal hunters native to Asia, from Siberian forests to tropical mangroves. Every tiger's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. Wild tigers live around 10 to 15 years.
Key takeaway
Tigers are the largest living cat species, reaching up to 300 kg (660 lb). They are solitary, primarily nocturnal hunters native to Asia, from Siberian forests to tropical mangroves. Every tiger's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. Wild tigers live around 10 to 15 years.
Overview
Tigers are the largest living cat species, reaching up to 300 kg (660 lb). They are solitary, primarily nocturnal hunters native to Asia, from Siberian forests to tropical mangroves. Every tiger's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. Wild tigers live around 10 to 15 years.
Biology
Tiger (Panthera tigris) is classified as Mammal with conservation status Endangered. Typical weight 90–300 kg (200–660 lb); lifespan around 10–15 years in the wild.
Ecology
Diet: Carnivore. Habitat: Forest, grassland, mangrove swamp. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.
People and this species
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Further reading
See the full Tiger profile for FAQs, taxonomy, and related guides on this site.
Behavior
Unlike lions, tigers are solitary and territorial, coming together only to mate. They are powerful swimmers and, unusually for cats, enjoy water, often cooling off in rivers and lakes. Tigers communicate through scent marks, scratch marks, and vocalizations that can carry for kilometers.
Diet and hunting
Tigers are ambush predators that hunt deer, wild boar, and other large mammals. They stalk silently and use their immense strength to overpower prey, often dragging carcasses far heavier than themselves to cover. A tiger may eat up to 35 kg (77 lb) of meat in one night.
Habitat and range
Tigers once roamed across much of Asia. Today they survive in scattered populations from the snowy forests of the Russian Far East to the mangroves of the Sundarbans and the tropical forests of India and Southeast Asia.
Conservation
Wild tiger numbers crashed in the 20th century due to poaching and habitat loss, with as few as 3,200 remaining around 2010. Intensive conservation has since helped numbers begin to recover in some countries, but tigers remain Endangered.
Research notes
Figures for tigers (Panthera tigris) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter tigers in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Endangered) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Tiger: Key Facts & Natural History?
Tigers are the largest living cat species, reaching up to 300 kg (660 lb). They are solitary, primarily nocturnal hunters native to Asia, from Siberian forests to tropical mangroves. Every tiger's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. Wild tigers live around 10 to 15 years.
What is the scientific name of the tiger?
Panthera tigris
What do tigers eat?
Carnivore
Where do tigers live?
Forest, grassland, mangrove swamp
Are tigers endangered?
Listed here as Endangered. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.