Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! This classic quote might come to mind when you think of the two biggest cats in the world – the lion and the tiger. How to tell these big cats apart? What happens if you cross a lion and a tiger? Do lions and tigers ever quarrel? Who will win? Let’s find out.
Lion vs tiger
There are several key differences between lions and tigers. The most obvious difference is their appearance, which we’ll talk about in more detail. In addition, although their ranges overlap, lions and tigers do not usually live in the same place.
Other differences include the size and strength of the animals. If you are here because you want to know which animal will win the fight, the following factors should be considered.
We’ll also add another twist to the story – instead of lion versus tiger, we’ll look at the lion. a plus tiger! Have you ever heard of liger or tigon? They’re not just Saturday morning cartoon characters. Read on to get to know these amazing animals.
Comparison of lions and tigers
| a lion | Tiger | |
|---|---|---|
| Coloration | Sandy brown; sometimes reddish, off-black, or white | White or orange with black stripes |
| Range | Africa, southern Europe and Asia | Asia |
| Maximum length | 208 cm (6.8 ft) | 390 cm (12.8 ft) |
| Maximum weight | 225 kg (496 lb) | 300 kg (660 lb) |
| Sociability | Prides up to 30 | Single |
5 key differences between tigers and lions
In this discussion, we will focus on the African lion (Panther lion) and tiger (Panthera tigris). Note that there are a number of subspecies, some of which are smaller than the animals discussed here.
Lion vs tiger: coloring
Coloring is the easiest way to tell lions from tigers. Tigers have a distinct striped pattern, while lions have a solid color. Male lions also have a thick, fluffy mane around their necks; female lions and all tigers are gone.
Differences happen within each species. Tigers are usually orange or white with black stripes. Rarely do white tigers have brown rather than black stripes. The snow tiger morph has very faint stripes and a reddish stripe on the tail. Golden tigers are light between reddish brown stripes. Black tigers have very thick stripes through which another color hardly shines through.
Lions can also vary in color. Some are black or reddish, while others are pure white.
Lion vs Tiger: Range
Most of the lion’s range is in Africa, and most of the tiger’s range is in Asia. This geographic distribution can help you determine which animal you have seen.
However, the ranges in Eurasia partially overlap. Historically, this coincidence has been greater, and clashes between wild lions and tigers did occur. Today, lions and tigers only live in small parts of India and the Middle East.
Lion vs Tiger: Length
Tigers are usually longer than lions – almost twice as long. Male lions reach a maximum height of almost 7 feet, head and body, while male tigers reach a maximum height of almost 13 feet.
Leo vs Tiger: Weight
Larger tigers also weigh more than lions. Male tigers can reach a whopping 660 pounds and male lions just under 500 pounds.
Lion vs. Tiger: Sociability
Lions usually live and hunt in groups known as prides. Females spend most of the hunt, and prides usually contain only one adult male. These prides can contain up to 30 lions. Young males can travel and hunt in small groups of three to five individuals before establishing their own prime list.
On the other hand, tigers tend to live alone. Young tigers explore their own territories as they become adults. The territories of young females may overlap with the territories of their mother for some time, but the animals do not hunt together.
Next: Termites vs. Ants – 6 Key Differences
Lions vs. Tigers – 5 Key Differences, FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can tigers kill lions?
According to the charity Save China’s Tigers: “Recent studies show that the tiger is indeed stronger than the lion in terms of physical strength … The tiger is usually physically larger than the lion. Most experts would prefer the Siberian and Bengal tigers to the African lion. “
Lions have one advantage – they live and hunt in groups. Lions, although smaller in size, are known to “team up” to kill a lone tiger.
Which is more dangerous, a lion or a tiger?
Both lions and tigers have the ability to kill people. It is estimated that lions kill about 250 people a year. Over the past 200 years, tigers have, on average, committed about 1,800 fatal attacks on humans per year. This makes tigers the more dangerous of the two.
What is the difference between a lion and a tiger?
Lions and tigers belong to the same genus, but belong to different species. Tigers are larger than lions and have distinctive stripes. Male lions have long manes. Lions also live in groups, which is a unique behavior among cats.
What happens when you breed a lion and a tiger?
These animals are closely related to each other to produce offspring. A male lion and a female tiger produce a liger, the largest of all cats. Due to the lack of a growth inhibitor gene, ligers can weigh over 1,200 pounds – double that of a tiger! This animal has sandy fur with brown stripes.
A cross between a male tiger and a female lion is called a tigon. These animals resemble golden tigers and do not exceed their parents in size.
While it is possible that these hybrids may occur in the wild, this is not common. Ligers also have congenital health problems that make them short-lived in the wild. Interestingly, it is a common misconception that Tigons and Ligers cannot reproduce.