Cubs open their eyes at about one week of age, but do not see clearly until about two months of age. (2)

By 18 months of age, the cubs are usually capable, independent hunters. These subadults may be as large or larger than their mother in size.

Subadult tigers may remain in their mother's home range for up to 30 months. They are usually driven off the range by their mother as she starts taking her new litter of cubs to kills

Young males usually disperse (travel away from their mothers' area) farther than young females.


Subadult males usually disperse to marginal habitats surrounding the resident population. They tend to establish temporary territories, and as they mature, gradually expand them into prime habitat breeding territories or move into the vacated territory of a resident male. Unlike females, males normally shift or change home ranges several times during their lifetime



The first two years of life is a dangerous time for tigers. The mortality rate is at least 50%. (6)


a. Young cubs are vulnerable to predators, grass fires, and floods. Older cubs may be hurt or killed when learning to hunt dangerous prey. (2, 16)


b. Females survive more frequently than males.


(1) Male cubs tend to be more adventurous when learning to hunt prey. (2)


(2) During dispersal, subadult males have a high rate of injury due to fights with resident males. They also disperse more often into marginal habitats where prey is harder to find. If they try to survive by "cattle-lifting" (hunting domestic livestock), they may be shot or poisoned