I have added a voting poll. You’ll see that the majority of people believe that tigers win!
You can also make comments freely at the base of the page if you wish. These are a true reflection on voting. Some people double voted etc but these have been removed so what is left is accurate…
| In a fight between a lion and tiger, on average the tiger is more likely to win..here is my argument……… |
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I thought I would enter the discussion on this subject. It is of interest to people as it pitches two dominant predators against each other. It is a bit like one of those cult moves, Gonzilla vs King Kong. There are videos on this subject. They are, understandably, of tigers fighting lions in captivity. They are just big cats imprisoned in relatively small spaces, which leads to scuffles, but they are not fights to the death or really serious fights. Certainly there are no winners.
It is unnatural for a lion to fight a tiger as it would not happen in the wild. The lion occupies Africa (its range is being eroded by people). It is also present in India in the Gir Forest on the west coast in small numbers.
The tiger lives in Asia, meaning India going west to Indonesia and China. Except for the Gir Forest lions, these dominant predators live thousands of miles apart. They also live in different habitats. The lion lives in woodlands, shrub, dry forest and even desert while the tiger lives in a wide range of habitats from the rainforests (e.g. Sumatran tiger) to the birch woodlands of Siberia (Siberian tiger). The lion lives in drier habitats.
If they did live in the same place they would no doubt find ways to avoid each other or at least minimize conflict. Conflict amongst equal or near equal predators is not wise as it compromises survival. The cheetah, for example, usually gives up its kill to say hyena because of the possibility of becoming injured even slightly which would severely reduce its capacity to run. And fast running is how the cheetah survives. And the humble domestic cat if he or she is an outdoor cat will try and avoid territorial disputes by marking its range (a from of communication) with scrapes and sprays.
However, at a theoretical and fun level, the only real way to figure out who would win a lion vs tiger fight (which is what people want to know, I think) is to try and work it out based on their various skills and strengths.
| Lion vs Tiger..Update: On occasions in the past lions have been forced to fight tigers. These were staged. On a more informal and far less serious nature, at the Bronx Zoo in the 1950s a lion cub called Zambezi and a young tiger named Range who were raised together faught occasionally and Range always won due to being a smarter and better fighter. In the days of the European menageries of the rich and kings (middle ages and beyond), lions were sometimes made to fight tigers. We are told that, “apparently the tigers always won….” (Sunquist – Wild Cats Of The World -page 287 – the premier book on the wildcats) Update 16th Sept 2010: There have been three very good submissions by visitors on the Lion vs Tiger debate. Here they are: Lion vs tiger – lion wins – this is a monster page full of detail. Have a drink before you tackle this one. Tiger would win 80% of fights with lions The experts say the tiger wins the lion versus tiger fight Some comments from visitors: “I thought the lion would win but this changed my mind but I still wished the lion won. Lions all the way!!” “As you said the tiger hunts alone…while the lion hunts in groups and this is the how it happens in nature. So there is prey like the adult elephant that the tiger can’t bring down but I saw a pack of lions kill an adult elephant. So when you say that “tigers kill any animal” it is wrong but it is correct to say that lions kill any animal. Also if they met in nature most probably the tiger would be killed because the lion always lives in a pride .. and most of time in each pride is between 1-2 male lions and sometimes 4. Also like as you said most of the time there will be no fight .. because one of them will run because of the fear of injury. And the male lion has an advantage in his shape. In the animal world external appearance is important .. the male lion has a scary appearance because of the mane. If a fight happened, the most important factor is the size and the tiger wins on this point. But as I said early, in nature tiger would most probably encounter a group of lions and he would never win because of that.” Ahmed (from Libya) Yousef from Kuwait makes a strong case for the lion: Lion Wins nearly all the Lion vs Tiger Fights “My favorite family of animals has always been the cat family from a young age. In the cat family, I have always liked the tiger better than the lion. I have done a report concerning this problem before, and nearly all the websites I’ve visited supported the tiger, that is with the exception of favourites. TIGERS!!!” Cheng Ming (from China) “I do have a comment. While, it can be generally considered that the Tiger has more qualities to deem it the winner. I think, that since both the Tiger and the Lion are closely matched up it may depend on the animal itself. For instance, if a young un-experienced tiger is placed against a naturally more agressive lion. The chances are the lion would prevail. It may come down to the animal itself and it’s behavioral characteristics coupled with experience. A lion in a zoo may not fair so well with a wild aggressive tiger. Just a thought!” Ali (California, USA) “Always lion wins …..u have seen that chinese fabricated videos lion has more experience than tiger so lion only wins i haved stuied the behaviour of lion and i studied the behaviour of tiger so i believe lion wins…” “Tigers can kill any animal…This is to correct an earlier statement that tigers cannot kill elephants when in fact they have been known to bring down young elephants on their own whereas it takes the whole pride of lions to take down an adult elephant. To me that further proves that the tiger would win.” Lynnal (Zimbabwe)
I think the lion would have won. Damian (Poland) |
Initially, I thought that the outcome would be a draw – but I changed my mind. In reality, however, either one would back off or the loser would have been young and inexperienced or perhaps ill. That said a comparison of factors that make each a great predator might be useful in deciding the outcome of a lion vs tiger contest.
Here is a table comparing the lion and tiger in respect of factors (I have called them “fight factors”) that might help us decide who would win in a lion vs tiger fight. This is summarized. The information comes from Wild Cats Of The World, the premier book on wild cats. Also please remember that the Sumatran tiger is the smallest tiger and the Siberian the biggest. There is more detail below the table:
| Fight Factor | Lion | Tiger | Winner – lion vs tiger |
| Size – weight – see Wild Cat Species by Size for a full list of wild cat sizes | Max weight: 216 Kg1 | Max weight: 320 Kg1 | Tiger |
| Fighting ability | “..eat a variety of prey….” | “Tigers kill any animal…” | Tiger |
| Climbing ability | “..not particularly adept climbers…” | “Tigers rarely climb trees…but can and will” | Tiger |
| Swimming ability | “quite capable swimmers…” | “Tigers swim well….” | Tiger |
| Jumping ability | “..jump fences 2-3 metres high..” | “Jumping ability well developed..” | Draw |
| Bite strength | bite force quotient (BFQ) = 112 | bite force quotient (BFQ)= 127 | Tiger |
| What the experts say | tigers are favoured over a lion – 75% of experts favor the tiger – source: National Geographic | Tiger |
Video – lion vs tiger
I don’t really believe in any video of a lion versus tiger fight. They are going to be artificial as these cats never normally meet each other in the wild.
Climbing ability
Climbing ability indicates athleticism and cats are generally skilled climbers. Forest dwelling cats are better climbers than ground living cats. The tiger is more of a forest dwelling cat I think it fair to say, although habitats for both are wide. (see the master climbers: Margay and Clouded leopard).
The tiger has demonstrated some impressive climbing skills that are recalled in Wild Cats Of The World by the Sunquists:
- A tiger raced up a tree pulling down a person who was doing research. He was 4.6 metres of the ground (15 feet).
- Adult tiger climbs smooth barked tree to 10 metres (32 feet).
Lions when young can be “quite good climbers”.
Jumping ability
The tiger can jump (at a maximum it seems) from 8 to 10 metres (10 metres = 32 feet). More typically they jump around 4-5 metres. Lions have been observed to jump fences 2-3 metres high.
Fighting ability – Tiger vs Dogs
Tigers are generally the dominant predator (the authors, the Sunquists, of Wild Cats Of The World say). So they are not always on top. And a pack of wild dogs although only weighing 20 kg each can overcome a tiger and kill it. Here are two dramatic and sad descriptions of such events.
A pack of 22 Asiatic wild dogs or dholes drove a tiger into a dried stream. The tiger protected his back with a tree. The dogs attacked and were repelled by the tiger. Five dogs were killed or badly injured and the tiger was badly hurt in this first attack. The tiger’s ears were torn, its body cut and an eye was closed. The dogs harassed the tiger for one hour and attacked again. The tiger repelled the attack but was hurt more. The third attack killed the tiger. Twelve dogs were killed and many others badly wounded.
In another wild dog attack on a tiger in southern India the following happened. The pack of dogs attacked the tigress from different angles and the tigress gradually became tired. The tigress in desperation at hearing more dogs arriving charged at two of the dogs and killed one with a swipe of its paw. The dog’s spine cracked like a whip. The tigress escaped but was eventually torn to bits about five miles away by the full pack of wild dogs.
Both are excellent examples of the hugely courageous and fierce fighting ability of the tiger. The tiger has been described as, “more of a wrestler than a runner..”. And it is built to pull down prey several times its own size.
Now to the lion, which is equally as courageous and as dynamic a fighter. Perhaps a useful comparison would be of the size of prey these two big cats hunt and pull down. This may help in assessing a lion vs tiger fight but it is a rather vague guide. Note: the prey that is available is a factor in this assessment.
| Lion vs Tiger | Maximum weights of prey in Kilograms | Winner |
| Lion | Giraffes (716) Hippos (500) Buffalo (500) Cape Buffalo (600 – 900) | |
| Tiger | Average weight of tiger kills (Nagarahole National Park) was 401 kgs including several at 1000 kilograms (estimated). Moose killed by tigers weigh between 500 – 820 kgs | Tiger – just |
| A visitor made this point:“I would like to mention that lions usually hunt in groups and single lions would have a lot of trouble with any of the animals listed in the prey (especially hippos). Alone, they can only take down smaller prey such as wildebeest (max ~300 kg) and, if they can catch them, antelope and gazelles.”Comment: This supports the tiger in a lion vs tiger fight, I would have thought. | ||
Note: the tiger probably just wins this round! But this is not a very scientific assessment. And it is very close. Also lions hunt in groups and alone, which complicates this comparison. Also lions and tigers get killed by large prey. For example, the water buffalo and gaur can and do kill attacking tigers.
Both lion and tiger hunt and kill very large animals but also eat small animals. Lions regularly catch antelope fawns.
Bite Strength
This is a comparison of bite strengths for various animals. The bite strength or force listed here takes into account the size of the animal so it is a direct and fair comparison (i.e. a compensation for animal size is built in). In a lion vs tiger test of bite force, the tiger wins – just.
| Animal | BFQ |
| Tasmanian devil | 181 |
| African hunting dog | 142 |
| clouded leopard | 137 |
| grey wolf | 136 |
| tiger | 127 |
| cheetah | 119 |
| lion | 112 |
| cougar | 108 |
| bobcat – see hybrids | 100 |
| brown bear | 78 |
| cat | 58 |
Swimming ability
The lion has been observed swimming across the Okavango river and other major rivers.
Okavango river Africa – photo by rishon-lezion
The tiger swims well and probably is more water orientated than the lion living as it does in wetter climates. Tigers have been observed swimming to islands in the Sunda Straights (Wild Cats Of The World). The Sunda straight has tidal currents of more than 4 kilometres per hour. It is between Sumatra and Java.
Of the more major islands in this straight, Pulau Legundi is about 2.2 miles from the mainland and another island, Pulau Sebuku is about 5 miles from the mainland. However there are smaller islands that are much nearer at an estimated 300 yards to just under a mile from the mainland. This, though, is very impressive swimming for a cat! This is the sea not a river. See map below:
Sunda straight – Lion vs Tiger – Wikipedia commons – author ChrisO
Tiger out swims the lion
Sunda Straight – photo by soulsurfer
In a lion vs tiger contest the tiger out swims the lion.
Conclusion: Tiger wins a lion vs tiger fighting contest.
Note: 1. Wild Cats of the World by Mel and Fiona Sunquist
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page…
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Tiger all the way! Not rated yet
Tiger won almost every time when they fight against lions. Now, I’m gonna tell you the main trick. I have read in books that tigers have good jumping …
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The male lion would easily kill a tiger Not rated yet
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Lion Would Win Most Conflicts With A Tiger Not rated yet
I like the debate, the truth is tigers would likely avoid conflict, while lions would start one. Tigers are heavier & stronger but not larger and faster,…
Thanks for presenting you argument. Sorry the Google translation to English is rather poor.
O leão e tigre são dois super predadores,e cada um teve a sua evolução de acordo com suas necessidades, o leão é um gladiador e o tigre é um caçador,o tigre vive sozinho e raramente entra em confronto com outro tigre ou outro predador, seu numero é pequeno e seu territorio e vasto e mesmo quando se encontram eles se avaliam e geralmente o intruso vai em bora. O tigre e um excelente predador mas não é gladiador como o leão, se você analizar a propria anatomia do leão sugere que ele é um gladiador, se você pensar no ponto fraco desses animais, vera que é o pescoço e o leão tem uma juba que protege o peito e pescoço e intimida, por que faz parecer que o leão é ainda maior e também cofunde o adversário enrosca a pata desiquilibrando o oponente,o tigre não tem juba, no decorrer da luta no cansaço o leão poderia acertar a mordida fatal uma vantagem para o leão. O leão é o mais alto dos felinos, e o tigre é mais comprido e robusto entre os felino, mas não tem a resistência do leão, o leão vive no continente mais quente do mundo a Africa, um felino grande vivendo em ambiênte quente e seco e têm que ter muita resistência, e fora a experiência de combate, por que enquanto o leão e frio, calculista e concentrado o tigre é medroso e apavorado, ele corre fica em posição de submissão não consegue se concentrar na luta. As patada dos leões são as mais fortes entre os felino. Fora tudo isso a bbc discovery channel e a revista world win da a vitória ao leão, os fã de tigre fica elevantando a moral do tigre e desfazendo do leão com mentiras. O leão é a criatura da guerra não tem outro igual os leões são verdadeiros Mestres na luta.
Google translation of the above:
The lion and tiger are two super predators, and each had its evolution according to their needs, the lion is a gladiator and the tiger is a hunter, the tiger lives alone and rarely clashes with another tiger or other predator, their number is small and its territory is vast and even when they are evaluated and the intruder usually goes though. The tiger and an excellent predator but not gladiator like the lion, if you analyze the anatomy own Lion suggests he is a gladiator, if you think the weak point of these animals, vera which is the neck and the lion has a mane protects the chest and neck and intimidates, why does it appear that the lion is even bigger and also cofunde the opponent screws paw desiquilibrando the opponent, the tiger has no mane, during the fight tiredness lion would set the fatal bite one advantage for the lion. The lion is the tallest of the cats, and the tiger is longer and robust among the feline, but lacks the strength of the lion, the lion lives in the hottest continent in the world to Africa, a big cat living in hot and dry ambience and must have much resistance, and outside combat experience, that while the lion and cold, calculating and concentrate the tiger is afraid and terrified, he runs is in submission position can not concentrate on the fight. The kick lions are the strongest among the feline. Out all the bbc discovery channel and the magazine world the victory to win the lion, the tiger fan is elevantando moral undoing Tiger and Lion with lies. The lion is a creature of war has no other equal lions are true masters in the fight.
Hi, thanks for visiting. Yes the site is going and it still doing well 😉 under massive competition. Thanks for your future input. I’ll take a look at that as soon as I can. Any future comments you make will be published immediately
Hows it goin Michael, long time no chat…I see your site is still going, nice job. I did a little more investigating a while ago and left some interesting things here if you’d like to read up and learn some cool stuff:
http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17524&PID=703224&SID=f753e3228eca4zd6ce95f61d573cb725
Clyde beatty has 3 books out, 100’s of news-articles on him and video footage as well in regards to the lion/tiger conflict, which is probably the most definitive opinion based off of his own experince the world has ever seen, coming from a single person atleast. We are getting close to finding out who’d be the usual victor, but for now its still a toss up…I’m still on my break for this subject, but laters I’m sure I’ll be back to dig up more facts on these two powerful animals. Hope to see you laters and Good luck with your site as well…
Laters ^_^
Thanks for you comment. Come back sometimes. Your future comments will be published immediately.
Obrigado por você comentar. Volte às vezes. Seus futuros comentários serão publicados imediatamente.
Nice to hear from Portugal. Thanks for visiting and making a comment.
É bom ouvir de Portugal. Obrigado por visitar e fazer um comentário.