Animals A to Z
Animal field guide
Tiger vs Lion
Compare the same curated facts on both sides, with metric and imperial units together.
Side-by-side facts
Tiger vs Lion
| Feature | Tiger | Lion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Panthera tigris | Panthera leo |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Forests, mangroves & grassland | Savanna & grassland |
| Typical lifespan | 10โ15 years | 10โ14 years |
| Typical adult weight | 90โ310 kg (198.4โ683.4 lb) | 120โ250 kg (264.6โ551.2 lb) |
| Typical body length | 180โ280 cm (70.9โ110.2 in) | 170โ250 cm (66.9โ98.4 in) |
| Recorded top speed | 65 km/h (40.4 mph) | 80 km/h (49.7 mph) |
| Social group | Solitary | Pride |
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
- Lion has the higher recorded top speed in this field guide.
- Tiger has the higher upper adult-weight figure in the stored range.
- Tiger has the higher upper body-length figure in the stored range.
- Tiger has the higher upper lifespan figure in the stored range.
These figures describe different traits; they do not make either animal universally better.
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