Quick Answer
The tiger is generally bigger than the lion. On average, tigers weigh between 300 to 675 lbs compared to lions that weigh between 330 to 550 lbs. Tigers also tend to be between 8 to 13 feet in length compared to lions that are 5.5 to 8 feet long. So in terms of sheer size, the tiger is larger than the lion.
Lion Size
The lion is a large feline found in Africa and some parts of Asia. Lions exhibit sexual dimorphism, which means that males and females differ in physical appearance.
| Measurement | Male Lion | Female Lion |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Height | 3.5-4.5 ft | 3-3.5 ft |
| Head-Body Length | 5.5-8 ft | 4.5-6.5 ft |
| Tail Length | 2.5-3.5 ft | 2-2.9 ft |
| Weight | 330-550 lbs | 265-395 lbs |
On average, male lions are larger than female lions. Male lions can reach shoulder heights between 3.5 to 4.5 feet tall at the shoulder. Their head-to-body length ranges from 5.5 to 8 feet, with a tail length of 2.5 to 3.5 feet. Male lions can weigh between 330 to 550 lbs.
Female lions are smaller, with shoulder heights from 3 to 3.5 feet tall. Their head-to-body length ranges from 4.5 to 6.5 feet, with a tail length of 2 to 2.9 feet. Female lions typically weigh between 265 to 395 lbs.
Lion Size Variation
Lion sizes can vary considerably depending on the location and prides. The lions in India and parts of East Africa tend to be smaller than those found in Southern and East Africa. This size variation is linked to differences in prey availability, habitat, and environmental conditions.
For example, the lions found in the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park in Africa are significantly larger than those found in the Gir Forest in India. The abundant prey in Serengeti allows lions to grow bigger there.
Tiger Size
The tiger is the largest living cat species found across parts of Asia. Like lions, tigers also exhibit sexual dimorphism with males being significantly bigger than females.
| Measurement | Male Tiger | Female Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Height | 3-4 ft | 2-3 ft |
| Head-Body Length | 6-9 ft | 5-7 ft |
| Tail Length | 3-4 ft | 2-3 ft |
| Weight | 420-675 lbs | 220-370 lbs |
Male tigers are significantly bigger than the females. They have shoulder heights between 3 to 4 feet and a head-to-body length of 6 to 9 feet. Their tails can grow up to 3 to 4 feet long. Male tigers can weigh between 420 to 675 lbs.
Female tigers are smaller with shoulder heights of 2 to 3 feet. Their head-to-body length ranges from 5 to 7 feet, with a tail length of 2 to 3 feet. Females weigh between 220 to 370 lbs on average.
Tiger Size Variation
Like lions, tiger sizes also vary across their distribution range. The different subspecies of tigers found across Asia exhibit differences in body size. For example, the Amur or Siberian tiger is the largest subspecies with males weighing over 600 lbs. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest subspecies weighing between 220 to 310 lbs.
The prey availability, habitat quality, and climate all contribute to these subspecies size variations across Asia. Tigers found in the Russian Far East thrive on abundant prey like elk, allowing them to grow bigger. Meanwhile, tigers in the tropical forests of Sumatra are smaller due to dense habitat and available prey.
Comparing Lion and Tiger Sizes
When compared side by side, the tiger generally averages larger in size than the lion.
| Measurement | Male Lion | Male Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Height | 3.5-4.5 ft | 3-4 ft |
| Head-Body Length | 5.5-8 ft | 6-9 ft |
| Tail Length | 2.5-3.5 ft | 3-4 ft |
| Weight | 330-550 lbs | 420-675 lbs |
The male tiger exceeds the male lion in shoulder height, head-to-body length, tail length, and weight. While male lions can reach 550 lbs at maximum, many tigers surpass this weight.
The shoulder height advantage goes to the tiger by a few inches. But the biggest difference is seen in the head-to-body length where male tigers can reach up to 9 feet long compared to the maximum 8 feet for lions.
Male tigers also outweigh all except the very largest lions. The average male tiger is around 500 lbs compared to the average male lion that is closer to 400 lbs.
| Measurement | Female Lion | Female Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Height | 3-3.5 ft | 2-3 ft |
| Head-Body Length | 4.5-6.5 ft | 5-7 ft |
| Tail Length | 2-2.9 ft | 2-3 ft |
| Weight | 265-395 lbs | 220-370 lbs |
Among the females, the shoulder heights are comparable between lions and tigers. The head-to-body length of the tigress exceeds that of the lioness slightly. Tail lengths are also very close.
However, the weight advantage goes to the lioness that can reach 395 lbs compared to 370 lbs for the tigress. But on average, the lionesses and tigresses are similar in weight around 300 lbs.
So while male tigers are clearly bigger than male lions, the females are much closer in overall size and weight.
Why is the Tiger Bigger?
There are a few key reasons why tigers are able to reach larger sizes compared to lions:
Solitary Hunting
Tigers are solitary hunters while lions live in prides. This means that a tiger has to capture large prey like gaurs, buffalo, and deer all by itself. Their larger size helps overpower such big prey.
Lions rely on cooperative hunting so they can get by being smaller in size. Multiple lionesses working together can take down large prey like buffalo and zebras.
Habitat Differences
Lions are found in the open habitats of the African savannas and arid scrublands. These open areas favor moderate sizes to aid in running and pursuing prey.
On the other hand, tigers inhabit the dense jungles and forests of Asia. Their larger size helps them move through the thick vegetation and capture prey efficiently. The vegetation cover also allows tigers to ambush prey using their size advantage.
Prey Size
While lions prey on medium-sized herbivores like zebras and wildebeest, tigers have access to very large prey like gaurs and buffalo. These massive bovine species can weigh over a ton. The larger size of tigers helps them take down such giant prey solo.
Climate
Lions in Africa have to deal with hotter and drier climates compared to the humid tropical climates of the tiger’s Asian range. The humid jungles allow for greater productivity and thus support larger-bodied predators.
Other Size Differences
In addition to the overall size differences, some other physical attributes also set lions and tigers apart:
Mane
One of the most distinctive features of the male lion is its mane. This collar of long hair surrounds their head, neck, and chest. It makes the male look even bigger and intimidating.
The mane color varies from blonde, brown, or black. Male tigers lack a mane and have shorter hair overall.
Roar
Both lions and tigers are capable of roaring. But the lion’s roar is much louder and can carry up to 8 km compared to the tiger’s 2 km audible range. The louder roar helps lions assert dominance across the open savannas.
Bite Force
Bite force is another metric where the two big cats differ. Lions have a bite force of 650 psi compared to the tiger’s 1050 psi. This is likely linked to the larger prey subdued by tigers.
Skull Size
Male tigers have significantly bigger skulls than male lions. Their skull volume averages around 319 cubic cm compared to 228 cubic cm for male lions. This larger skull houses bigger jaw muscles that aid in taking down large prey.
Conclusion
In summary, the tiger is generally larger in size compared to the lion in terms of shoulder height, head-to-body length, and weight. Male tigers in particular far exceed male lions in these attributes, sometimes weighing over 700 lbs compared to 550 lbs max for male lions.
There are a few key reasons why tigers have evolved to be larger, including solitary hunting habits, thick forest habitats, larger prey items, and tropical climates. Other notable size differences include the mane found in male lions and the larger bite force and skull of the tiger.
While lions rely more on coordinated hunting and skills, the larger tiger is a solitary ambush hunter that uses its size advantage to overpower massive prey like gaurs and buffalo on its own. So while the lion is no pushover, the sheer size and power of the tiger makes it the larger and more formidable feline.