Siberian tigers - also known as Amur tigers - are the largest of the tiger subspecies and live in the Russian Far East and northeastern China. They roam across mountains, through dense temperate forests and along river valleys, with territories that span up to 1,000 square kilometres. Their habitats are known for having freezing winters with extremely cold temperatures and snowy conditions. So how do Siberian tigers survive? Let’s take a look. 

Thicker fur

The temperatures in Siberia can reach as low as -46°C, so Siberian tigers need to have thick fur to stay warm. Their coats double in length during the winter and become thicker, trapping air close to their bodies to keep them from freezing. They also have a ruff of thick fur around their necks that acts like a built-in scarf.

Extra fat

In addition to growing a thicker coat, Siberian tigers build up an extra layer of fat along their bellies and flanks in winter. This provides insulation against the cold and acts as an emergency energy reserve, giving their bodies fuel when food is scarce. 

Pale fur

Tigers are instantly recognisable thanks to their orange and black striped coats. Siberian tigers have a paler colour than other tigers, with widely spaced brown stripes. They also have white chests and bellies. All these adaptations give them more camouflage in snow-covered landscapes, helping them to hunt prey without being seen. 

Big paws

Siberian tigers have large paws - larger than any other subspecies. These act as natural snowshoes, distributing the tigers’ heavy bodyweight so that they don’t sink into deep snow. Their paws also have thick fur to prevent heat loss when they’re walking across frozen landscapes. 

Diverse diet

Food is harder to find in the harsh winters of Russia and northeastern China, and Siberian tigers survive by hunting a wider range of prey. While feeding mostly on wild boar and Roe deer, they will also eat fish, rabbits and other small mammals to ensure they don’t go hungry. Siberian tigers need to eat about 9kg of meat a day to survive in the harsh climate - but they don’t actually eat every day. They will have a successful hunt roughly every five to seven days, and can eat as much as 50kg in one go. If the prey is large they may eat it over several days. They cover it with leaves and stones when they’re away to stop it from being scavenged by other hungry animals. 

Staying active

Being active is a great way to stay warm in cold weather, and Siberian tigers know this. In the winter they are on the move more, partly because food is harder to find, and partly because being active keeps them warm. They have ranges of up to 1,000 square kilometres, and it can take several weeks to complete a full patrol of the area.

Join a tiger for tea

One tiger who doesn’t need to survive harsh winters is the one that visits Sophie’s house in The Tiger Who Came to Tea show in London. He simply eats all the food, drinks all the tea, and disappears into the night! Join him for a fun-filled tea party at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer and enjoy one of the best family theatre shows in town. Performances run from 22 June - 5 September 2026 - book your family theatre tickets today.