Tigers have slightly larger, sharper retractable claws. More importantly, tigers are habitual "rearers"—they can stand on their hind legs and use both front paws to slap simultaneously. Lions tend to fight with one paw on the ground for balance. A tiger’s left-right combo is faster.
This is the lion’s trump card. The thick mane around a male lion’s neck acts as shock-absorbing armor. When a tiger instinctively goes for the throat (its favorite kill move), it often ends up biting a mouthful of hair instead of flesh. Lions are used to this; tigers are not.
The tiger, being stealthier, strikes first. It goes for the neck. The lion, sensing the attack, drops its chin. The tiger’s fangs hit the thick mane. No kill.
Tigers have slightly larger, sharper retractable claws. More importantly, tigers are habitual "rearers"—they can stand on their hind legs and use both front paws to slap simultaneously. Lions tend to fight with one paw on the ground for balance. A tiger’s left-right combo is faster.
This is the lion’s trump card. The thick mane around a male lion’s neck acts as shock-absorbing armor. When a tiger instinctively goes for the throat (its favorite kill move), it often ends up biting a mouthful of hair instead of flesh. Lions are used to this; tigers are not.
The tiger, being stealthier, strikes first. It goes for the neck. The lion, sensing the attack, drops its chin. The tiger’s fangs hit the thick mane. No kill.