Tigers are a member of the Felidae family and are classified as mammals. They belong to the Panthera genus, which includes four big cats.” Tigers are the largest and most powerful of all living cats, making them super predators. They typically inhabit grasslands or forests where they can easily find prey that is swift or alert. Unlike other big cats, tigers (and jaguars) are strong swimmers and can often be seen bathing in lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Tigers hunt alone and primarily consume medium to large-sized herbivores such as wild pigs, gaur, water buffalo, and deer.
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Nonetheless, tigers occasionally eat smaller prey, but most of the time they prefer larger and fatter prey such as gaur, wild water buffalo, and sambar. These animals provide more meat that can last for a couple of days. Tigers are considered the heaviest and largest cats worldwide. Generally, male tigers weigh between 440 lb and 700 lb (200 kg and 320 kg), while females weigh between 265 lb and 400 lb (120 kg and 181 kg). Normal-sized male tigers are between 2.6 meters and 3.3 meters in length, while female tigers are between 2.3 meters and 2.75 meters in length.
Tigers frequently attack their prey, using their body’s strength to conquer and defeat them from any angle, much like other cats. Adult tigers are solitary and fiercely territorial animals. Female tigers may have a territory of 20km2, while male tigers have territories ranging from 60 to 100 km2. Males are not tolerant of other males within their areas, resulting in intense territorial clashes that often end in death for one or more of the male tigers involved.
To mark his territory, the male tiger will urinate and scatter anal gland secretions on trees as well as marking trails with feces. Male tigers also exhibit a behavior known as flehmen (see Tiger”. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. September 21, 2006).
Lions belong to the Felidae family and are one of the four big cats” in the Panthera genus. They are second in size only to tigers. Lions are easily recognized by their mane and typically live for 10 to 14 years in the wild, but can live up to 20 years in captivity.
Lions are unique among cats as they are social animals that live in groups called prides. A typical pride consists of five to ten adult females, two to three adult males, and several cubs.
During the day, lions rest in tall grasses, on open plains or forests, or even on tree limbs or forks. At night they become more active and hunt using their excellent night vision and strong senses of hearing and smell.
Just like tigers, lions establish territories and mark boundaries by urinating on trees or bushes. Unlike tigers, lions often hunt in groups, although solitary hunting is not uncommon. Female lions do most of the hunting. Adult male lions are typically 2.7 to 3 meters long, including a 90 cm tail, and weigh between 400 and 500 pounds. Lionesses are usually smaller than males. Lions have powerful bodies with remarkably strong forequarters (source: Lion”. New Standard Encyclopedia. Pp. L-256-257, Vol. 10).
References
- Tiger. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. September 21, 2006.
- “Lion”. New Standard Encyclopedia. Standard Educational Corporation. Vol. 10, pp. L-256-257.
