To mark International Tiger Day, we’ve compiled some fun tiger facts for kids to learn about these amazing animals!
These beautiful big cats are always a favourite with children, due in part to their strategic stripes and inimitable roar! But did you know that tigers can jump and swim? Or that tiger cubs are born blind? Read on to discover all about these endangered animals.
Cool Tiger Facts for Kids
#1. Tigers are the largest cats in the world
Adult male tigers can reach a length of 11-13 feet and can weigh up to 300kgs/600lbs. Females can be up to 9 feet in length and can weigh up to 180kgs/400lbs.
#2. Tigers are carnivores

This means that tigers only eat meat – and lots of it!
An adult tiger can eat up to 40kgs/88lbs of meat in one sitting. While they do eat small creatures, tigers mainly eat large prey, such as deer, pigs, cows, buffalos and antelope.
#3. Tigers can swim!
While your pet cat might not like to get wet, tigers are actually very powerful swimmers. Their webbed paws make them quite capable in the water and they can easily cross a river to cool down or follow their prey.
#4. Tigers are fast!
Despite their weight and size, tigers can run at speeds up to 65km per hour. However, they are better in short bursts of speed rather than maintaining speed for long distances.
#5. Tigers can jump
When hunting, tigers use their speed but can also pounce great distances to catch their prey. With strong hind legs, they can soar as far as 20-30 feet in a single jump!
#6. Tigers are solitary
While tiger cubs stay with their mother for the first two years, tigers are solitary animals and prefer to hunt alone.
#7. Tiger stripes are unique

Like a human’s fingerprints, every tiger’s stripes are individual, making their pattern completely unique.
#8. There are five sub-species of Tiger
The existing subspecies are Bengal, Indochinese, Sumatran, Siberian, Siberian, and Malayan.
Three subspecies (Javan, Caspian, and Bali) are extinct, and the South-China subspecies is also thought to be extinct.
#9. Tigers are pregnant for 3 months

Female tigers carry their cubs for about 3-3.5 months before giving birth. The average litter is three cubs, with each cub usually weighing about 2-3.5lbs at birth. The cubs will then stay with their mother for two years until they are mature.
#10. Tiger cubs are born blind
For the first few weeks after birth, tiger cubs are blind. They may open their eyes after their first week, but they won’t be able to see fully for another few weeks.
#11. Tigers are endangered
According to World Wildlife Fund, there is an estimate 3,900 tigers remaining in the wild. Although population numbers are seeing a slight increase, tigers remain an endangered species.
#12. Poaching is the main threat to tigers
While deforestation, smaller areas for hunting and less prey are all significant issues for tigers in the wild, hunting and poaching remain the main threat to tigers. International protection laws and dedicated wildlife rangers are used to try and keep tiger numbers from dropping further.
