This article compares Lion and Tiger, the two largest big cats. Let’s read.
Lion vs Tiger
Continent
- Lions are found in Africa and Asia. Lions of Asia are known as Asiatic Lions. Asiatic Lions are found in the wild only in India.
- Tigers are found only on the Asian continent in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and a few pockets in East Asia.
Lion vs Tiger – size comparison
The size of these big cats is different in different regions. In general, Tigers are larger than Lions. A Siberian Tiger would easily outweigh any Lion. A Southern African lion would easily outweigh a Sumatran or a Malayan Tiger.
| Siberian Tiger adult male weight range | 180-300 kg |
| Indian Bengal Tiger adult male weight range | 200-260 kg |
| Sumatran Tiger adult male weight range | 100-140 kg |
| Northern Lion adult male weight range | 150-190 kg |
| Southern African Lion adult male weight range | 150-225 kg |
Which big cat has a louder roar, Lion or Tiger?
A Lion’s roar is louder than a Tiger’s roar. It can be heard from as far as 8 km (5 miles). A Tiger’s roar can be heard from a distance of up to 3 km (1.9 miles).
Scientific name
- Lion – Panthera leo
- Tiger – Panthera tigris
Group
Tigers generally live solitary lives. Lions live in groups called pride.
Lifespan
- Lion – typically 10 to 15 years in the wild
- Tiger – typically 10 to 15 years in the wild (in some areas the lifespan is less than 10 years)
Conservation
Both these big cats are a threatened species because of poaching, habitat loss, and food shortage. Tiger is more endangered among the two.
Habitat
Lions live in savannas. Tigers have a wide range of habitats from jungle to savanna to even mangrove.
Hunting
- In pride, hunting is done mostly by the lionesses.
- Tigers hunt alone.
Swimming capability
Tigers are better swimmers than lions. They are known to swim over large distances in search of prey.
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