Two rare Sumatran tiger cubs were born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Monday and officially announced Thursday, the Washingon Post reported.
Leigh Pitsko, a tiger keeper at the zoo, told the Post the tiger cubs are two pounds and are a "little striped ball of fur."
"They're very cute," she said. "We're really excited. We put a lot of work into the breeding of these two tigers."
According to the Post, only 400 to 500 Sumatran tigers currently exist in nature; 65 live in official zoos throughout North America. This week's birth was the first one for the Smithsonian's female Sumatran tiger Damai, and male Sumatran tiger Kavi.
Damai became pregnant June 21 giving birth Monday evening at 6:15 p.m. to the first cub, with the second coming a little over two hours later at 8:23 p.m.
The Post reported the new additions will stay out of the public eye for many months so they can be given health exams, receive proper shots, and medicine.
Zoo patrons might still be able to see the cubs begin to see and move around on the zoo's live webcams.
Male indian tigers total twice that weight, and can live until 20 years of age at the zoo, but tend to last 15 years out in the open, the Post reported. Damai began to live at the zoo in 2011, while Kavi has been there a year.
Tigers can live up to the age of 20 in zoos, but most live only about 15 years in the wild.
