Physical characteristics:
- Size: Lions are typically larger than tigers. Male lions can weigh up to 500 pounds, while male tigers can weigh up to 660 pounds.
- Body shape: Lions have a more muscular build than tigers. Tigers are more slender and agile.
- Mane: Male lions have a mane that covers their neck, shoulders, and chest. Tigers do not have manes.
- Coat color: Lions are typically tawny or golden in color, while tigers have orange and black stripes.
- Tail: Lions have a long tail with a tuft of hair at the end. Tigers have a shorter tail with no tuft.
Behavior and social structure:
- Social organization: Lions live in prides, which can consist of up to 30 individuals. Tigers are solitary animals, except for when they are breeding.
- Hunting: Lions are cooperative hunters, and they typically hunt large prey such as wildebeest and zebra. Tigers are solitary hunters, and they typically hunt smaller prey such as deer and wild pigs.
- Communication: Lions use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other, including roars, grunts, and meows. Tigers use a similar range of vocalizations, but they also use scent marking and body language to communicate.
- Habitat: Lions live in a variety of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and forests. Tigers live in dense forests, and they are found in Asia.
Conservation status:
- Lions: Lions are classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with humans.
- Tigers: Tigers are classified as "endangered" by the IUCN. Their population is declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal trade.