Sure, many animal lovers have heard of the liger (mix of the lion and the tiger), but what about the tigon? The truth is that there are many possible combinations, but they share some common characteristics.

In this article we will tell you all about the tigon, as well as other possible feline mixes. Discover this curious hybrid!

What is a tigon?

The origin of the name seems to go back to the 1920s. A tigon is the offspring that are born from a male tiger and a lioness. Lionesses carry a growth inhibitory gene; Therefore, one of the main differences between ligers and tigons is that tigons do not grow as large as ligers. They can produce lion roars and tiger growls. Tigons are not only smaller than ligers, they are often smaller than their parents. They also display a mix of lion and tiger-like behaviors, and can greatly enjoy swimming and socializing.

Like ligers, tigons have light golden fur and may show faint spots or stripes on their fur. They have a very short mane, like a ruff around the neck.

Since it is not a naturally created race (humans are usually the one involved in the creation of these hybrids) many of these tigons have genetic disorders and die at an abnormally young age. Because of this, scientists think it’s safe to say that lions and tigers are clearly two different species that would not breed in the wild even if given the chance. Therefore, so far only one has been found in natural habitat, and in India, but they are usually found in captivity, such as zoos (most in America).

Can wild cats be crossed with domestic cats?

Yes, wild cats can be crossed with domestic cats; in fact, some of the most popular and exclusive cat breeds today are descended from these mixes. Most of them have been crossed on purpose, but also some of these crosses have occurred naturally.

Popular hybrid cat breeds include the following:

Bengal Cat: The offspring of a leopard cat and a domestic cat.
Bristol Cat: The offspring of a margay and a house cat.
Chausie Cat: The offspring of a jungle cat and a house cat.
Felis Chaus Cat: a second generation hybrid, descendant of a Bengal cat and a Chausie cat.
Kellas’s Cat: The offspring of a Scottish wildcat and a house cat.
Safari Cat: The offspring of the wildcat and a domestic cat.
Savannah Cat: The offspring of a serval and a domestic cat.
Serengeti Cat: a second generation hybrid, descended from a Bengal cat and a domestic shorthair oriental.

Did you know the tigon? And the other feline crosses? Remember that if you have a cat at home it is important to keep its vaccination record up to date and its veterinary check-ups. Call us at 932 460 805 and make your appointment so that our professionals can attend to your feline.