Tigrise

Tigrise is a genus of large, extinct felids that lived during the Miocene epoch, approximately 23 to 5.3 million years ago. The genus is known from fossil remains found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Tigrise is notable for its large size, with some species reaching lengths of up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and weighing over 200 kilograms (440 pounds). This makes Tigrise one of the largest known felids, comparable in size to modern big cats like lions and tigers.

The genus includes several species, with Tigrise tigris being the most well-known. T. tigris is estimated to have lived around 10 million years ago and is known from fossils found in Germany. Other species include Tigrise bartelsi, Tigrise palaeosinensis, and Tigrise gombaszoegensis, each with its own unique characteristics and geographic distribution.

Tigrise is believed to have been an ambush predator, using its large size and powerful jaws to take down prey. Its diet likely included large mammals such as deer, horses, and even other felids. The genus is an important part of the evolutionary history of big cats, providing insights into the development of their size, strength, and hunting strategies.

Despite its large size, Tigrise is not considered a direct ancestor of modern big cats. Instead, it is thought to have evolved independently, along with other large felids like Machairodus and Homotherium. The extinction of Tigrise is believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including climate change and competition with other predators.