This leopard quite literally has this man’s back and stops a tiger from pouncing at him from behind. Even if it’s likely that the tiger just wanted to play it doesn’t make the leopard’s act of bravery to save the man less touching.
The Video: Lion Stops Tiger from Attacking Man
This man is completely surrounded by big cats of all kinds and is busy cuddling with a pride of lions. In the background, though, a tiger lurks. Suddenly the tiger pounces, but the man’s attention is elsewhere. In a dramatic twist, the leopard springs into action, intercepting the tiger and thwarting the attack.
Although it’s pretty safe to assume the tiger was simply playing -you never know. Either way, it shows the leopard’s protective feelings towards his human friend.
Which Big Cat is the Biggest?
All of these types of big cats are enormous when compared to most other animals, especially in comparison to our pet cats.
When ranked these by size, the tiger stands at the top. Adult male tigers can weigh up to 675 pounds and measure over 10 feet in length, including their tail. Lions come in second, with males weighing up to 550 pounds and measuring up to 9.8 feet. Leopards are the smallest of the three, with males reaching up to 200 pounds and 7.5 feet in length.
Feline Racer #1
While the leopard may be smaller in size, it does take the crown when it comes to speed. Capable of reaching speeds up to 36 miles per hour, leopards are agile and swift predators. Tigers, despite their size, can reach speeds of 30-40 miles per hour but over shorter distances. Lions, known more for their strength than speed, can run up to 50 miles per hour, but like tigers, they tire quickly.
Which One Poses a Bigger Threat to Humans?
Naturally, you wouldn’t want to encounter any of these felines in the wild. But when weighing the respective risks it’s the tiger that poses the greatest threat to humans due to their size, strength, and nature.
Moreover, tigers are known to be significantly more aggressive towards humans than lions and leopards. However, most big cat attacks on humans are the result of encroachment into their territories or in situations where the animals feel threatened or cornered.
So as long as you stay clear of their territories, you’re in the clear.
Ancestry: Tigers, Lions, and Leopards
Tigers, lions, and leopards share a common ancestor and belong to the genus Panthera. The lion (Panthera leo) and the leopard (Panthera pardus) are more closely related to each other than to the tiger (Panthera tigris).
These big cats diverged from a common ancestor approximately 3.8 million years ago. Their evolutionary paths have led them to adapt to different habitats and develop distinct physical and behavioral traits, yet they share many similarities due to their common lineage.
Can Tigers, Lions, and Leopards Get Along?
In the wild, tigers, lions, and leopards are solitary and territorial animals, and interactions are rare and often hostile. And when it comes to tigers, their habitat doesn’t overlap the other two cats at all.
However, in controlled environments like zoos, these big cats can sometimes coexist peacefully under the right conditions. This requires careful management and an understanding of each animal’s individual personality and history.
Leopard Stops Tiger Attack: Conclusion
This man narrowly avoided a potentially dangerous tiger attack thanks to another feline friend. Seeing so many big cats at the same time is a rare sight, but not quite as rare as the strong friendship this zoo keeper seems to have with each and all of them.
Thank you for reading this story about the leopard that stops a tiger from attacking his dear human friend! For more feline news, take a look at these posts:
- Lion Gets Food Coma From Eating Too Much Giraffe
- Hungry Leopard Snatches Warthog Babies for a Snack
- Lion Fights Six Tigers At the Same Time
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