River Sofia
CUBS LEARN TO HUNT BY IMITATION
When they first learn to hunt, they will watch as their mother stalks and takes down prey. Much of their play emulates stalking and hunting behaviors. As they get older she will get the prey to the ground then allow the cubs to step in for the kill. After this, the cubs will start to practice their hunting skills on their own.
TIGERS ARE BORN WITH BLUE EYES
Like humans with brown eyes, tiger cubs are born with milky blue eyes. As they develop their eyes will slowly change to their signature gold color. The only tigers that maintain their blue eyes are white tigers. White tigers are not albino or a separate species but are white due to a genetic mutation which also causes blue eyes.
WHITE TIGER CUBS ARE EXTREMELY RARE IN THE WILD
White tiger cubs account for 1 in every 10,000 cubs born in the wild. Due to their unique coloring, which makes them more visible, their chances of surviving into adulthood are lower than the typical 50% of cubs of the typical coloration. The last known wild white tiger was killed by a trophy hunter in 1958. White tiger cubs born in captivity are typically inbred and have a variety of congenital conditions. They are also usually cross-eyed. The gene that causes their coloring also causes the optic nerve to cross.
