Tiger vs. Lion

Both the tiger and lion are big, wild cats that have no natural predators (other than humans). They are known as fierce predators that occupy the top of the food chain.

A tiger is a large, powerfully-built wild cat known for its orange coat striped with black. Tigers live in the jungles of Asia, though they are now an endangered species. Most tigers now live in captivity as wild tigers are on the brink of extinction. There are several subspecies of tiger, three of which are now extinct. Tigers are solitary, nocturnal hunters.

A lion is a large, powerfully-built wild cat known for its tawny coat and large mane (males only). Lions occupy the grasslands of Africa and India. They are social animals that live in prides of about 15. Female lions do a majority of the hunting and work together to take down animals much larger than themselves.

Though the females of the species are similar in size, male tigers are larger than male lions. They are easily distinguished by the color and pattern of their fur as well as the mane of hair on a male lion.