| These
are all Flickr pictures. They are direct from the photographer's Flickr
pages, which should please both the photographer and Flickr. The liger
is a hybrid. The mother is a tiger and the father a lion. This is
Hercules. The person is his trainer, I believe. The mating
was apparently accidental. He is the world's largest cat (Guinness
World Records certified2) and he lives at Jungle
Island in Miami,
Florida, USA as far as I aware (at 2010). At one time he was living in
Massechusetts. Maybe he tours? The owner of Jungle Island
is Bern
M. Levine. |
Hercules a
liger - the world's biggest individual cat - photo by Andy Carvin
- this is one of the classic liger pictures, the best known
Hercules
eats 20lb every day and can eat up to 100 lbs. His owners say that his
size is due to "imprinted genes or growth dysphasia". Might it also be
due to hybrid vigor?
The owners of Hecules put on a show for the awe inspired customers.
Personally, and this is entirely personal; I don't like it. It has
gothic, devil type undertones judging by the picture at the base of
this page. It seems to be portraying Hercules as some sort of devil
beast, something from the mysterious underworld, when he is simply the
unfortunate offspring of two captive wildcats.
There is a story (dated Sept 2010) about Jungle Island. A tiger jumped
a 14 foor fence it says (they are very good jumpers so this seems
feasible
- just). Panic ensued and the incident is being investigated.
A fine is possible. It will be a poultry maximum of $500 if the
misdemeanor is proved1. |
Hercules again - above (photo by Andy Carvin) and below
Hercules - photo by Jassen
Associated pages:
Liger
Pictures - Notes:
1.
http://www.examiner.com/cats-in-tampa-bay/tiger-escape-miami-owner-doc-antle
2.
We are told on the Jungle Island website that Hercules holds the
Guinness World Record for largest cat but I cannot see that record in
the 2010 edition of the book that I have. Perhaps the editors have
decided to stop that particular record for fear of promoting the
breeding of unhealthy animals.
From
Liger Pictures to Wild Cat Species
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