What is a liger?

A liger is a hybrid offspring of a male lion (Panthera leo) and a female tiger (Panthera tigris). It is distinct from the tigon, which is the hybrid of a male tiger and a female lion. The liger is the largest of all known extant felines. They can grow up to 10-12 feet in length and weigh around 500 kg (1,100 lbs), making them larger than both their parents. Ligers are known for their remarkable size, strength, and speed, which is a combination of the characteristics of both lions and tigers. Female ligers are more likely to be fertile than male ligers, which are often sterile.