Lion vs Tiger
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 with 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 wouldn't happen in the wild. The lion occupies Africa (less and less of it as its range is being eroded by people). It is also (just) present in India in the Gir Forest on the west coast. The tiger lives in Asia, meaning India going west from to Indonesia and China. These two top or dominant predators live hundreds and 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 minimise 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.
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:
National Geographic Video - lion vs tigerClimbing abilityClimbing 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:
Jumping abilityThe 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 DogsTigers 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.
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. What Do Lions Eat. Bite StrengthThis 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.
Swimming abilityThe 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. Form
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