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See Who Backs Down When a Mountain Lion and Tiger Come Face-to-Face

Written by Sharon Parry
Updated: April 8, 2023
© Gerckens-Photo-Hamburg/Shutterstock.com
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Key Points

  • Tigers can be over 10 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds. Very few animals can kill an adult tiger because they are so large and powerful.
  • Mountain lions are a large wild cat species that are native to North America, Central America, and South America. They are not, however, anywhere near as large as a tiger.
  • These facts make it even more remarkable that the tiger in this clip seems to be wary of a much smaller animal.

A fascinating confrontation! These two animals are clearly living in captivity and their face-to-face confrontation has been recorded for us to share. At first, the tiger seems a little bemused by the smaller mountain lion (cougar). The mountain lion is the first to show aggression by making strong hissing sounds that are very like those made by a domestic cat. Then the lion retaliates with a half-growl/half-hiss.

Unbelievable, it is the smaller animal that has the advantage and the huge tiger backs away. Not content to let it go, the mountain lion moves forward as the tiger continues to retreat. It is obviously not in the mood for a fight.

tiger
Very few animals can kill a tiger because they are so powerful

©iStock.com/dito:Aleksejs Loginovs

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All About Tigers

Tigers live on the continents of Asia and Eurasia and their habitats are dense forests, grasslands, and mangrove swamps. They can be over 10 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds. Even their tails can be three feet long.

Very few animals can kill an adult tiger because they are so large and powerful. Only humans, large buffalo, and elephants are capable. This fact makes it even more remarkable that the tiger in this clip seems to be wary of a much smaller animal. Tigers have all the attributes that a formidable hunter needs. They can stalk, run fast, have quick movements, and have huge power. They actually only need to eat once a week but can consume 75 pounds of meat in one sitting. What they cannot eat, they often cover with leaves and return to later.

The Brave Mountain Lion

Mountain lion stares into camera
With a maximum weight of 220 lbs, pumas are nowhere near as large as tigers which can reach 660 lbs

©Kwadrat/Shutterstock.com

Mountain lions are a large wild cat species that are native to North America, Central America, and South America. They are not, however, anywhere near as large as a tiger. An adult mountain lion can reach about five and a half feet in length and weigh up to 160 pounds. They are also called cougars, pumas, and panthers and can live in a wide range of habitats.

As you hear in this video, they do not roar like most other big cats. Instead, they have a distinctive scream and hiss. However, they can also meow and purr!

Other Amazing Videos You Might Like

A lone Himalayan bear is minding its own business when two tiger cubs approach it. It doesn’t seem quite sure of what to make of these curious intruders. But then their parents bound from brush cover and chaos ensues. There is a lot of posturing and growling as the bear attempts to stand its ground.

It is a futile attempt as the conflict progresses to the water, back on land, to the water, and back to land again, the bear always on the defensive. Yet the ursine shows remarkable courage even swiping on occasion. At last, it flees the scene running for safety, and hopefully, tranquility.

Find out what happens when two tigers set upon this lone bear

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Watch A Tiger Make Heroic Slow Motion Leap To Catch Dinner

Watch a Desperate Tiger Challenge an Adult Elephant

Watch a Tiger Escape a Circus Act and Wreak Havoc

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The Featured Image

Siberian Tiger
The Siberian tiger is one subspecies of the world's largest living cats.
© Gerckens-Photo-Hamburg/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Sharon has a Ph.D. in Public Health but has spent the last decade researching and writing about all things connected with animal health and well being. As a life-long animal lover, she now shares her family home with three rabbits, a Syrian hamster, and a very energetic Cocker Spaniel but in the past she has also been a Mom to Guinea Pigs and several cats!She has a passion for researching accurate and credible information about pets and reviewing products that make pet owners' lives a bit easier. When she isn't checking out new pet products she's trekking around the Welsh mountains and beaches with her dog - although she lets her husband and her three grown up daughters tag along sometimes if they are lucky!

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