The Amur tiger has the lightest colored coat of all the tiger subspecies, ranging from tannish-yellow to pale orange. Their fur is much thicker and longer than other tigers due to the cold climate of their home range. This particular subspecies also has fewer stripes, possibly to help camouflage the animal in the snow. Their undersides, insides of the limbs, patches above the eyes and cheeks are creamy white.
Male Amur tigers typically weigh between 400- 660 pounds, while females weigh around half that amount. Growing to over 9 feet in length, with 1inch claws and canines that can reach 3 inches, Amur tigers are formidable predators.
Amur tigers typically live 8-10 years in the wild and 16-18 years in captivity.
Status In The Wild
The Amur tiger is listed as Endangered on the IUCN list and is on appendix I of CITES. In the 1940’s the Amur tiger was on the brink of extinction with approximately 40 tigers remaining in the wild. Loss of habitat, illegal hunting, and depletion of prey are major threats. Tigers require large home ranges and around 50-60 large kills a year to survive so they are particularly sensitive to habitat loss and human development. Poaching, however, is the single most immediate threat to tiger populations. Bones, teeth and claws are prized for use in traditional Chinese medicine while the demand for pelts is also high.
Due to vigorous anti-poaching and other conservation efforts in Russia supported by many partners, including WWF, the Amur tiger population has increased to around 500 and has remained stable throughout the last decade or so.