Mary Allen
Introduction: The Big Cats
Tigers and lions are two of the most well-known big cats in the world. They are both majestic and powerful, commanding respect and admiration from people all over the world. Despite their similarities, tigers and lions are different species. Understanding the reasons for their differences requires an examination of many different factors, including genetics, physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat.
Defining a Species
In order to understand why tigers and lions are different species, it is important to first understand what a species is. A species is defined as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. In other words, if two animals can mate and produce offspring that can also mate and produce offspring, then they are part of the same species. If they cannot, then they are different species. While tigers and lions are both big cats, they belong to different species because they cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring.