Tigers: Reproduction

Reproduction

A. Sexual maturity. (1)

1. Female tigers become sexually mature at about three to four years of age.

2. Male tigers become sexually mature at about four to five years of age.

B. Estrus cycle

1. A female tiger may enter estrus (the time when a female is receptive and capable of conceiving young) every three to nine weeks, and her receptivity lasts three to six days. (1)

2. In tropical climates, females may come into estrus throughout the year, though mating seems to be more frequent during the coolest months (November to April). (6)

3. In temperate regions, females enter estrus and mate only during the winter months. (6)

C. Breeding

1. Females advertise their readiness to mate.

a. A few days before she enters estrus, the female will scent-mark her range more frequently with a distinctive smelling urine. The distinct smell is caused by specific urinary gland secretions. (13)

b. During estrus, the female may also roar and/or moan until she attracts a male. Females usually vocalize several times a day. Though not common, one female in Nepal was recorded roaring 69 times in 15 minutes. (6)

2. When a male approaches an estrous female, he may or may not answer her roars. The pair usually begin their courtship by circling each other and growling. The female may even try to run away from the male, but is quickly pursued by him. (2)

3. Eventually, the pair rubs their bodies against each other and copulation occurs.

4. Copulation is very brief and is repeated frequently for five or six days. (2)

a. Female tigers are induced ovulators, which means the act of mating causes the female to release an egg for fertilization.

b. Several days of mating interactions may be required to stimulate ovulation and guarantee fertilization of the egg.

5. Both male and female tigers may have several mates over their lifetime.

D. Captive breeding

1. Most tigers in zoological parks are captive-born. There are currently captive breeding programs for all tiger subspecies.

a. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) jointly coordinates the breeding programs of three tiger subspecies: Siberian tigers (with Europe and Japan), Indo-Chinese tigers (with countries in the tiger's range), and Sumatran tigers (with Europe, Australasia, and Indonesia). (10)

b. The Bengal tiger breeding program is managed in Europe and India, and the South China tiger program is managed primarily in China. (10)

2. As of 1995, there are about 1,800 tigers in captive environments worldwide. Of this total, 913 tigers from 233 institutions are registered in the International Species Inventory System (ISIS). ISIS is a computer-based information system designed to coordinate captive breeding efforts. (pers. conv., Susie Ellis, CBSG)

3. Currently, most captive tigers registered in ISIS are Bengals (348) and Siberians (336). The goal of current programs is to increase captive breeding of the other tiger subspecies. (pers. conv., S. Ellis)

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