A hybrid tiger refers to one that has been crossbred with another
species of wild cat, such as a lion or leopard. This is not a natural
phenomenon and, according to current information, has only ever occurred
with the help of human intervention or by accident due to close
proximity in a zoo or park. The trend of hybridisation began during the
1800’s, when circuses and zoos displayed “freaks of nature” – both human
and animal. In order to add intrigue to their collection, they
crossbred (or attempted to, in some cases) a number of different
species; which resulted in a motley crew of animals to entertain the
masses. Wild cats were relatively successfully interbred, making them
particularly vulnerable to the trend.
Both of these hybrids will display characteristics of each of their
parents, so there is no specific classification that can be applied to
the way that they look. They will generally have tiger’s stripes on
their backs and hindquarters and spots, even very light ones, on their
belly. Pure-bred lion adults do not have distinctive spots, although
they do pass these onto their hybrid young.
The Liger
Liger Lying Down on Grass
This is one of the more common combinations of big cat hybrids that occur in captivity by accident. Generally, the male ligers will have a short mane, which is far more conservative than that of a male lion. The liger is usually much larger than either of its parents. In fact, hybridisation seems to be responsible for a significant proportion of gigantism. An adult liger can weigh double that of the hefty Siberian Tiger (equivalent to about half a ton). As such, it is the biggest of all wild cat combinations. Ligers are far more common than tigons.
The Tigon
The Tigon
Unlike ligers, tigons are actually predisposed to being very
small, being smaller than either of their parents or a similar size to
their mother. This is as a result of inheriting a growth-inhibiting
hormone. They are far rarer than ligers.
If a hybrid is born from two wild animals, it is deemed to be wild. However, if only one of its parents is domesticated, then it too is considered to be domesticated.
In general, hybrids enjoy the same sort of life expectancy than that of purebreds; that is, between 15 and 20 years in captivity.
In
order to maintain the integrity of the wild cats’ species,
hybridisation is not encouraged. For this reason, different species are
usually kept separate when in zoos or parks. From recent experience, the
male hybrid is sterile, while the female can usually reproduce.
The most common hybridisation is between the lion and the tiger.
These are called ligers (the combination of a lion and a tigress) or
tigons (the combination between a lioness and a tiger). The base colour
of the fur generally depends much on the darkness of the tiger parent’s
fur. Thus, when white tigers are bred with a lion, the liger or tigon
is very light in colour.Liger Lying Down on Grass
This is one of the more common combinations of big cat hybrids that occur in captivity by accident. Generally, the male ligers will have a short mane, which is far more conservative than that of a male lion. The liger is usually much larger than either of its parents. In fact, hybridisation seems to be responsible for a significant proportion of gigantism. An adult liger can weigh double that of the hefty Siberian Tiger (equivalent to about half a ton). As such, it is the biggest of all wild cat combinations. Ligers are far more common than tigons.
The Tigon
If a hybrid is born from two wild animals, it is deemed to be wild. However, if only one of its parents is domesticated, then it too is considered to be domesticated.
In general, hybrids enjoy the same sort of life expectancy than that of purebreds; that is, between 15 and 20 years in captivity.
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