The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) ranks among the largest cat species in the world. As an apex predator, its size reflects its role in the ecosystems of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Its physical dimensions enable it to effectively hunt large prey and dominate its territory.
Standard Adult Dimensions
Fully grown adult Bengal tigers vary in size depending on factors like habitat and prey availability. A typical adult male can reach a total length ranging from 9 to 10.5 feet (2.7 to 3.2 meters), including the tail. Males commonly weigh between 380 and 580 pounds (172 to 263 kilograms). Some individuals in the Terai region of India and Nepal have been known to consistently exceed 500 pounds (227 kilograms).
Shoulder height generally falls between 35 and 43 inches (90 to 110 centimeters). The tail typically measures 33 to 43 inches (85 to 110 centimeters). Regional variations are notable; tigers in the Sundarbans mangrove forests, for example, tend to be smaller than those in central India or the northern Terai. This difference shows how local conditions, such as available prey size, influence the final dimensions of the population.
Sexual Dimorphism in Size
The broad range in adult size is largely explained by sexual dimorphism, the pronounced difference between the sexes. Adult males are substantially larger than females (tigresses) in almost every measurement. Males often outweigh females by 50% or more.
A fully grown female typically measures 8 to 9.3 feet (2.4 to 2.85 meters) in total length. Their average body weight usually ranges from 220 to 350 pounds (100 to 159 kilograms). This considerable size advantage for males is an evolutionary adaptation tied to defending large territories and competing for breeding access.
Growth and Development Timeline
Newborn Bengal tiger cubs are born blind and helpless, weighing only between 1.75 and 3.5 pounds (780 to 1,600 grams). For the first few months, the cubs are entirely dependent on their mother for protection and milk, which fuels rapid initial growth.
Cubs begin consuming solid food around six to eight weeks of age and are weaned from milk by six months. They start accompanying their mother on hunts between eight and ten months, learning the complex skills required to stalk and capture prey. Independence is achieved between 17 and 24 months old, when they disperse to establish their own territories. Growth continues beyond this point, with males typically reaching full physical maturity and maximum size around four to five years of age.