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The article says that the numbers increased from "1,706 in 2011 to 2,226 in 2014". So, 520 baby tigers in 3 years? How many baby tigers per birth? What is the

The article says that the numbers increased from "1,706 in 2011 to 2,226 in 2014". So, 520 baby tigers in 3 years? How many baby tigers per birth? What is the mortality rate on those babies? Is this definitely not just greater efforts to count tigers?

DrJokepu 12y ago
It's 520 (baby tigers - dead tigers).
philh 12y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger#Reproduction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger#Reproduction says usually 2-3 cubs per birth, mortality rate 50% in two years. They separate after two years. If the tigress only has one litter on the go at a time, that puts a limit of about half a cub per year. The reported numbers come to about 1/10 of a cub per tiger per year, or 1/5 of a cub per tigress assuming equal numbers. If two thirds of them are sexually mature, then 0.3 cubs/year each. That's close enough to the upper bound that it seems implausible to me, but these numbers aren't reliable enough for strong conclusions.
- shashwatak 12y ago
  A number of the tigers are on nature preserves, with help from scientists/conservationists. That would reduce the infant mortality rate since these tigers aren't really "in the wild".
colechristensen 12y ago
> How many baby tigers per birth? 1-6, usually 2,3. If unsuccessful (all cubs die) the female can give birth about twice a year. If successful (raised cubs live) the female gives birth every 2 to 2.5 years. > What is the mortality rate on those babies? > 50% before two years, but the female reproduces faster if she loses her cubs compensating for some of the loss. > Is this definitely not just greater efforts to count tigers? It would require about 60 successful litters per year.
drzaiusapelord 12y ago
>So, 520 baby tigers in 3 years? No, its 520 babies after you subtract the dead during those three years. Its 520 more tigers total.

DrJokepu 12y ago

It's 520 (baby tigers - dead tigers).

philh 12y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger#Reproduction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger#Reproduction says usually 2-3 cubs per birth, mortality rate 50% in two years. They separate after two years. If the tigress only has one litter on the go at a time, that puts a limit of about half a cub per year. The reported numbers come to about 1/10 of a cub per tiger per year, or 1/5 of a cub per tigress assuming equal numbers. If two thirds of them are sexually mature, then 0.3 cubs/year each. That's close enough to the upper bound that it seems implausible to me, but these numbers aren't reliable enough for strong conclusions.

shashwatak 12y ago
A number of the tigers are on nature preserves, with help from scientists/conservationists. That would reduce the infant mortality rate since these tigers aren't really "in the wild".

colechristensen 12y ago

> How many baby tigers per birth? 1-6, usually 2,3. If unsuccessful (all cubs die) the female can give birth about twice a year. If successful (raised cubs live) the female gives birth every 2 to 2.5 years. > What is the mortality rate on those babies? > 50% before two years, but the female reproduces faster if she loses her cubs compensating for some of the loss. > Is this definitely not just greater efforts to count tigers? It would require about 60 successful litters per year.

drzaiusapelord 12y ago

>So, 520 baby tigers in 3 years? No, its 520 babies after you subtract the dead during those three years. Its 520 more tigers total.