What is a liger?

A liger is a hybrid animal resulting from the crossbreeding of a male lion (Panthera leo) and a female tiger (Panthera tigris). Ligers are typically larger than both parent species, making them the largest of all known extant felines. They inherit features from both parents, often having a mix of the lion's mane and the tiger's stripes. Ligers are usually bred in captivity since lions and tigers do not share the same habitat in the wild. These hybrids often face health issues due to genetic complications from interspecies breeding.