This is a Ligar, its the product of a male lion (Panthera leo) and a tigress (Panthera tigris). Thus, it has parents with the same genus but of different species.
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A Liger |
It is bigger than either parent, 10 - 12 ft in length - making it the biggest hybrid cat. Ligers vary in appearance depending on how the genes interact and on which subspecies of lion and tiger are bred together. In general, males grow sparse leonine manes and the facial ruff of a tiger. Males and females have spotted bellies and a striped back. They roar like lions and "chuff" like tigers.
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What a wonderful Creature |
Ligers are the largest big cat, tending towards gigantism, especially in the males which can be the size of a pony and weigh over half a ton!
!! More Pictures after the break!!