When female tigers have babies, they usually give birth to a litter of between two to four cubs, with the average number being three. This means that, more often than not, tiger cubs grow up alongside their brothers and sisters. Navigating those vulnerable early months of life together helps significantly with survival and development. Let’s take a closer look at tiger siblings and how they grow up together. 

Sibling Bonding (0-2 weeks)

When you look at a fully grown tiger, it’s hard to believe that they were once a small cub weighing between 700 grams and 1.5 kilograms - much smaller than a human baby. Tigers are also born blind which means they rely entirely on their mother for milk and protection in the first few weeks of their lives. Warmth and comfort, however, can also come from their siblings. Cubs huddle together for survival and stay hidden from potential predators.

Early Development (2 weeks - 2 months)

Tiger cubs begin to open their eyes and explore the world around them when they are around six to twelve days old. Their vision takes weeks to fully develop, but by two months they start to explore their den. During this time, tiger cubs also start to grow in confidence and begin to play fight with their siblings. This helps to develop coordination and social bonds. In fact, from this very early age, they’re already learning essential skills needed for hunting and fighting off rivals.

Establishing Dominance (2-6 Months)

Sibling rivalry is common in human families, where children compete for their parents’ attention and resources, sometimes falling out or getting jealous. It’s common in tiger families too, with cubs starting to chase, wrestle and pounce on one another, as well as compete for the food their mothers bring. By six months old, tiger cubs have usually established a hierarchy within the litter, with one cub being dominant over the others.

Power of Teamwork (6-18 Months)

While stage productions such as The Tiger Who Came To Tea, make the life of a tiger look easy, this is simply theatre for preschoolers. Unfortunately, tigers in the wild can’t all knock on doors and eat and drink everything in their host’s house - what a shame! Instead, tigers must learn to hunt from an early age and siblings rely on each other to get the job done. Sibling cooperation is really important at this stage of life, and can help secure a meal. 

Increasing Independence (18 - 36 Months)

Tiger cubs start to become independent at around 18-36 months. They leave their mother, but siblings may form temporary alliances, supporting each other in hunting and territory defence. Eventually, however, they begin to establish their own ranges and become solitary animals. Sibling bonds ultimately fade in the wild but in captivity, brothers and sisters can remain close companions. 

If you love tigers and are looking for theatre shows for under 5s that’ll keep the little ones entertained, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea on tour. Buy your theatre family tickets today and enjoy a fun-filled experience to remember. This show is suitable for children aged three and above.