Bengal tigers usually breed in the spring. After mating, the male returns to his home range and plays no part in rearing the cubs. After about 15 weeks, the tigress gives birth to two to four cubs. At 11 months the cubs can hunt on their own. They stay with their mother for two to three years, after which time she is ready to mate again. A neighboring male will mate with a female in her home range. On the 20 to 80 days he remains with her, she is fertile for only three to seven days. Above: Mother and cubs on a hunting trip in their home range. They remain together for about 20-80 days and the female is only female for 3 to 7 days during that time .
