Amur tigers are the world’s largest tiger species and live in a climate where temperatures can fluctuate by a whopping 40 degrees. In summer, Siberia can reach 18-22°C, while in winter the mercury can plummet as low as -20°C. Amazingly, these animals have ways to adapt to the different seasons, enabling them to survive in both heat and cold. Let’s look at how they change to cope with the climate variations. 

Changing colour

The Amur tiger’s coat changes colour between summer and winter. As an ambush predator, tigers need to blend in with their surroundings, and when their territory is covered in snow for four months of the year, they have to adapt. In summer, Amur tigers are orange with black stripes. This helps them to blend into their temperate forest habitat and remain unseen when stalking prey. In winter their fur becomes paler so that they don’t stand out against the snow. This ensures they remain largely undetected while hunting, which is especially important because food is harder to find in the colder months. 

Growing extra fur

In addition to turning paler, an Amur tiger grows extra fur in winter. Its coat grows to almost double the length and becomes thicker, trapping air close to the animal’s body and keeping it warm in the freezing temperatures. Amur tigers also have more fur on their paws to protect them from the cold. Their paws are larger than those of other tiger species, helping them to walk across deep snow. As the snow melts and their forest homes become greener, Amur tigers shed the extra fur, enabling them to cope with climbing temperatures.

Building fat

Building fat reserves is a key way in which mammals adapt to survive cold weather. As winter approaches, Amur tigers put on an extra layer of fat around their bellies and flanks. This not only helps to insulate them, it also acts as an energy reserve, enabling them to cope with the scarcity of food. While Amur tigers prefer to prey on deer and moose during the summer months, they will seek out smaller animals like rabbits, boar and badgers in winter.

Staying active

In order to stay warm in the coldest months, Amur tigers tend to be more active. They often need to go further to find food, and their meals may be smaller, meaning they are on the move for much of the time. In the summer, they may spend more time asleep to conserve energy. They will also hunt at dawn and dusk when it’s cooler. 

See The Tiger Who Came to Tea this summer

One tiger that’s adapted to urban life is Judith Kerr’s Tiger Who Came to Tea. When he arrives at Sophie’s house, the last thing she expects is for him to eat all the food and drink all the water in the taps! This charming picture book has been adapted to a theatre family show and is playing from 14 July - 7 September 2025 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. 

As one of the best theatre shows for under 5s, it tells the classic story with songs, dance and magic, keeping little ones entertained throughout. Search ‘theatre for preschoolers’ and book tickets today to join the fun.