Tiger Facts for Kids

A Picture of Tiger - Panthera tigris
  • Name: Tiger
  • Binomial Name: Panthera tigris
  • Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
  • Diet: Meat (carnivore)
  • Range: Asia
  • Length: 6 to 13 feet
  • Weight: 143 to 675 pounds

19 Tiger Facts for Kids

  1. Tigers are large cats and a member of the Pantherinae subfamily.
  2. Their binomial name is Panthera tigris.
  3. Tiger is pronounced: “tai-gr”.
  4. Tigers are easy to recognize by the dark stripes that run vertically along their body on orange-reddish fur.
  5. Every tiger is unique, no two tigers have the same stripe pattern.
  6. The white tiger has dark stripes that run vertically along their body on white fur.
  7. Tigers can be found in Asia.
  8. Tigers are sexually dimorphic, with the males being on average, larger than the females. In some tiger subspecies a male tiger can be up to 70% bigger than a female tiger.
  9. Tigers will mate year-round, but on average most tiger cubs are born between March and June. Each litter will on average have two to three cubs, but in rare instances up to six cubs can be born.
  10. Tigers are carnivores and eat meat. Their prey is typical a medium size ungulate weighing between 130 and 550 pounds (60 and 250 kilograms).
  11. A tiger will normally take down its prey by latching onto its neck and hold it until the prey is strangled.
  12. Tigers have caused more human deaths than any other wild animal.
  13. Between 1998 and 2001, 27 people were injured or killed by a captive tiger in the United States.
  14. The Champawat Tiger, a Bengal tigress, is believed to have killed 400+ people in India. This tigress holds the world record for the most human fatalities by a single tiger.
  15. In 2015, it was estimated the tiger population was only 3,000 to 4,000 in the wild.
  16. Tigers are considered an endangered species by the IUCN and are likely to become extinct if we don’t take steps to protect their habitat.
  17. The two biggest reasons for tigers being endangered are the destruction of their habitat and illegal hunting (poaching).
  18. The tiger is one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
  19. In Ancient Rome tigers fought humans and other animals during gladiator type events.

Additional Resources on Tigers

  • Smithsonian’s National Zoo – Find more tiger facts for kids on the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute website.
  • Tigers @ WWF – Learn more about tigers on the World Wildlife website.
  • Tigers @ IUCN – Learn more about why tigers are endangered and what you can do to help on the IUCN website.

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