Many animal lovers have heard about the liger, but what about the tigon? Now that we're thinking about it, have you ever heard of other big cat hybrids? There are many possible combinations, but they share some common characteristics. Ligers, tigons and other crossbred animals are possible because their parents share a genus, even if their species is different - not so different from donkeys, asses and mules! Big cat hybrids appear in captivity in the majority of cases; although it seems a new phenomenon, there have actually been wild cat hybrids in menageries and zoos since the early 19th Century. In this AnimalWised article we'll tell you all about cat hybrids, including the differences between ligers and tigons - and many other combinations, that rare as they are have their own name.

Differences between ligers and tigons

Both ligers and tigons are the result of a cross between a tiger and a lion - but they look quite different as the result of genetics, as not all chromosomes can carry the same genes. Moreover, there are different types and subspecies of tiger and lion around the world, so there is no exact definition of what they look like. A liger is the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger. Although they do not count as a species, the largest cat ever known was a 3.6 m (11'9'') long liger. The longest a liger's ever lived has been 24 years. Ligers have the golden or sandy color of lions, but they can show faint tiger stripes or slight lion-cub rosettes; the pattern of a liger's coat depends on its genetics. Their underbelly and the inner side of their limbs is lighter than the rest of their body. These cat hybrids are very sociable, and they love water - ligers get the best of both their parents' species! While female ligers tend to be fertile and have offspring, male ligers have very low fertility rates. A tigon is the offspring of a male tiger and a female lion. Female lions carry a growth-inhibitory gene; one of the main differences between ligers and tigons is that tigons don't grow as large as ligers. In fact, their development and delivery can cause serious problems because the tigon cubs may be too large for their lion mother to deliver safely. Like ligers, tigons have a light golden coat and can show faint spots or strips. They have a very short mane, like a ruff around their neck. The offspring of a male lion and a female tigon is a litigon, while the offspring of a male lion and a female liger is a liliger. A male tiger and a tigon will have a titigon, while a male tiger and a liger will have a tiliger. These second generation hybrids are very rare, but they have appeared on occasion.

Possible big cat hybrids

Now that you know the differences between a liger and a tigon you will understand how are the other possible cat hybrids named: A male jaguar and a female lioness will have a jaglion .

. A male jaguar and a female tiger will have a jagger .

. A male jaguar and a female leopard will have a jagupard .

. A male leopard and a female lion will have a leopon .

. A male leopard and a female jaguar will have a leguar .

. A male leopard and a female tiger will have a leoger .

. A male lion and a female jaguar will have a liguar .

. A male lion and a female leopard will have a lipard .

. A male tiger and a female jaguar will have a tiguar .

. A male tiger and a female leopard will have a tigard. Here you can learn more about the habitat and distribution of leopards. In the picture below you can see a male leopon.

What is a pumapard?

A pumapard is the offspring of a puma and a leopard regardless of their sex. The main difference between pumapards and ligers, tigons and other hybrids is that pumapards tend to show dwarfism, reaching only half their parents' measures. Pumapards have a long body with short legs. Their coat is sandy and has leopard-like rosettes, but very faint.

Other wild cat hybrids

It's no only big cats such as leopards or tigers that can crossbreed; smaller wild cats have been known to have offspring, resulting in very interesting individuals. Some of the most famous wild cat hybrids include: Blynx or lynxcat : The offspring of a bobcat and a lynx. This cat hybrid has actually appeared in the wild, in North America. The blynx is a larger bobcat with the hairy ears of lynxes.

: The offspring of a bobcat and a lynx. This cat hybrid has actually appeared in the wild, in North America. The blynx is a larger bobcat with the hairy ears of lynxes. Caraval or servical : The offspring of a caracal and a serval. These two wild cats were first crossed in captivity but by accident in the US.

: The offspring of a caracal and a serval. These two wild cats were first crossed in captivity but by accident in the US. Euro-chaus : The offspring of an European wildcat and a jungle cat.

: The offspring of an European wildcat and a jungle cat. Marlot: The offspring of a margay and an ocelot. Here you can learn more about the different types of wild cats around the world - imagine the beautiful combinations they can result in! In the picture below, you can see a young caraval cat.

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 nowadays descend from these mixes! Most of them have been crossbred on purpose, as is the case of designer dogs, but some of these mixtures have happened naturally. Popular cat hybrid breeds include the following: Bengal cat : The offspring of a leopard cat and a domestic cat.

: The offspring of a leopard cat and a domestic cat. Bristol cat : The offspring of a margay and a domestic cat (see the Marlot above).

: The offspring of a margay and a domestic cat (see the Marlot above). Chausie cat : The offspring of a jungle cat and a domestic cat (see the Euro-chaus above).

: The offspring of a jungle cat and a domestic cat (see the Euro-chaus above). Jungle cat : A second-generation hybrid, the offspring of a Bengal and a Chausie cat.

: A second-generation hybrid, the offspring of a Bengal and a Chausie cat. Kellas cat : The offspring of a Scottish wildcat and a domestic cat.

: The offspring of a Scottish wildcat and a domestic cat. Safari cat : The offspring of a Geoffroy's wildcat and a domestic cat.

: The offspring of a Geoffroy's wildcat and a domestic cat. Savannah or Ashera cat : The offspring of a serval and a domestic cat.

: The offspring of a serval and a domestic cat. Serengeti cat: A second-generation hybrid, the offspring of a Bengal cat and a domestic Oriental Shorthair. In the picture below you can see a Bengal cat.

Now that you know all about cat hybrids, including the differences between ligers and tigons, you can tell us your favorite in the comments section. And if we forgot a possible cross, please tell us as well!