Question

In some zoos/captive environments, rare crosses between different species of big cats have occurred. Perhaps the most famous example is that of a male lion mating with a female tiger, producing hybrid offspring called "Ligers." The reverse cross has also occurred:

A) A male tiger mating with a female lion produces hybrid "Tigon" offspring.
B) Male hybrids are sterile but some female ligers/tigons are fertile.
C) In the wild, lion and tiger ranges do not naturally overlap, making such crosses highly unlikely.
D) Furthermore, the solitary behavior of tigers and the social organizations of lions create behavioral differences.

Answer 1

Answer: Except for B) Male hybrids are sterile but some female ligers/tigons are fertile, the following are true

A) A male tiger mating with a female lion produces hybrid "Tigon" offspring.

C) In the wild, lion and tiger ranges do not naturally overlap, making such crosses highly unlikely.

D) Furthermore, the solitary behavior of tigers and the social organizations of lions create behavioral differences.

Step-by-step explanation:

A liger and a tigon are hybrids of lions and tigers. While they are not found in the wild, tigers and lions can mate in captivity producing offspring with a combination of their physical characteristics but usually bigger than both.

In nature Lions and tigers do not occur in close ranges, also tigers are territorial and solitary animals, making it unlikely for them to meet or mate with other animals in the wild.

While some animal hybrids are infertile, ligers and tigons are not, and can mate with either tigers or lions.