Lions have been known to breed with tigers (most often the Amur and Bengal subspecies) to

create hybrids called ligers and tigons. Such hybrids were once commonly bred in zoos, but this is
now discouraged due to the emphasis on conservation. Hybrids are still bred in private menageries
and in zoos in China.[56]

The liger is a cross between a male lion and a tigress.[57] Because the lion sire passes on a growth-
promoting gene, but the corresponding growth-inhibiting gene from the female tiger is absent, ligers
grow far larger than either parent. They share physical and behavioural qualities of both parent
species (spots and stripes on a sandy background). Male ligers are sterile, but female ligers are
often fertile. Males have about a 50% chance of having a mane, but, even if they do, their manes will
be only around half the size of that of a pure lion. Ligers are typically between 10 and 12 feet in
length, and can weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds or more.[57]

The less common tigon is a cross between a lioness and a male tiger.[58] Because the male tiger does
not pass on a growth-promoting gene and the lioness passes on a growth inhibiting gene, tigons are
often relatively small, only weighing up to 150 kg (350 lb), which is about 1020% smaller than lions.
Like ligers, they have physical and behavioural traits from both parental species, and males are
sterile. Females are sometimes fertile and have occasionally given birth to litigons when mated to a
lion.[56]