Lions and tigers belong to the same family, Felidae. Although both are of the same family, their lives are very different. Lions and tigers differ in numerous ways, from their habitats, their diets, to their sizes and even their behavior.
Habitat
Lions are usually found in the central, eastern, and southern parts of Africa. While tigers are found in the southeast, northeast, and central parts of Asia. Tigers prefer habitats with dense vegetation and lots of trees, while lions can be found in savannahs and open grasslands.
Diet
Lions and Tigers are both apex predators, meaning they are the top predator in their environment. However, their diets differ greatly. Lions mostly eat medium-sized ungulates like zebra, or wildebeest, while tigers prefer to hunt large prey like antelope and buffalo. Lions can eat around 5 to 7 kilograms a day, while tigers can eat up to 40 kilograms in one sitting!
Size
On average, tigers are much larger than lions. Tigers are heavier and longer, while lion is heavier. However, that size can differ from animal to animal as a lion can be larger than a tiger and vice versa.
Physical Characteristics
Lions and tigers have very different physical characteristics. Tigers have dark brown stripes that cover their bodies, which are unique to each individual tiger. On the other hand, lions do not have any stripes or markings on their fur. Their manes also differ greatly as well since male lions usually have a much larger mane.
Behavior
Lions and tigers have different behaviors as well. Lions are mostly social animals, while tigers are more solitary. A dominant male will often lead a pride of female lions, which includes their offspring. In contrast, a tiger is usually just seen traveling alone in the wild or living with its mother until it reaches maturity.
Conclusion
Despite coming from the same family, lions and tigers have many differences. They both are strong animals that have different strengths and abilities. No matter what the differences are between them, both animals are important to their environment and should be preserved in their natural habitats.
