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Animal field guide

Alligator vs Tiger

Compare the same curated facts on both sides, with metric and imperial units together.

Side-by-side facts

Alligator vs Tiger

Field-guide comparison of Alligator and Tiger
Feature Alligator Tiger
Scientific nameAlligator mississippiensisPanthera tigris
DietCarnivoreCarnivore
HabitatSwamps, rivers & marshesForests, mangroves & grassland
Typical lifespan30โ€“50 years10โ€“15 years
Typical adult weight200โ€“450 kg (440.9โ€“992.1 lb)90โ€“310 kg (198.4โ€“683.4 lb)
Typical body length300โ€“450 cm (118.1โ€“177.2 in)180โ€“280 cm (70.9โ€“110.2 in)
Recorded top speed30 km/h (18.6 mph)65 km/h (40.4 mph)
Social groupCongregationSolitary

Figures are typical stored ranges, not limits for every individual, sex, subspecies or breed. Body length is nose-to-rump except for very tall species, where the field guide records height.

Direct answer

What the stored figures show

  • Tiger has the higher recorded top speed in this field guide.
  • Alligator has the higher upper adult-weight figure in the stored range.
  • Alligator has the higher upper body-length figure in the stored range.
  • Alligator has the higher upper lifespan figure in the stored range.

These figures describe different traits; they do not make either animal universally better.