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San Diego Zoo's Tiger Cubs Open Their Eyes

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(Image credit: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo)

A pair of 2-week-old Malayan tiger cubs at the San Diego Zoo opened their eyes over the weekend.

The unnamed male cubs can see only shadows right now. They make soft chuffing noises, sleep most of the day and nurse when awake.

The 7.7-pound cubs scoot around the tiger's den only far enough to reach their favorite corner and are completely dependent on their 12-year-old mother, Mek Degong. At approximately 3 months old the cubs should be able to maneuver freely around on their own and will make their public debut.

Malayan tigers are a critically endangered subspecies, with only about 500 cats left in the wild. The San Diego Zoo contributes to the conservation of the Malayan tiger by partnering with other zoos involved in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, a management tool that helps meet conservation goals through breeding programs for endangered species .

Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
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