tigons

A tigon is a hybrid feline produced by mating a male tiger with a female lion. The name is a portmanteau of tiger and lion. Tigons are rare and occur mostly in captivity, as lions and tigers do not typically share wild ranges that would allow natural mating.

Typical tigon appearance is intermediate between its parents. They often have a tawny body with a mixed pattern that can include both tiger-like stripes and spots, and their size is generally smaller than both parents, though individual variation occurs. Males may develop some mane development, but it is usually less pronounced than in ligers.

Behavior and ecology: Because tigons are hybrids, they do not form a natural ecological niche. In captivity they may exhibit a blend of social tendencies associated with lions and solitary, stalking behaviors associated with tigers, but generalizations are limited by the small number of observed individuals.

Reproduction: Fertility in tigons is variable. The majority are infertile due to chromosomal differences, and while there are rare, poorly documented reports of fertile tigons, such cases are exceptional and not well established.

In captivity: Tigons are primarily bred for exhibition rather than conservation, and their production raises animal welfare concerns about hybridization and the genetic health of offspring. Related hybrids include ligers, which result from a male lion and a tigress.