Speed Comparison: Lion vs. Tiger

The speed comparison between a lion and a tiger is the most challenging measure of both cats. A lot of speed estimates have been made about these two cats. But they are all generalistic rather than precise. In the literature (Posnick, 2023) the maximum speed of lions has been mentioned at 76 km/h (47 mph). Another source (Kohn et. al., 2011) reveals their speed at 70 km/h (43 mph), and lastly (Darling, 2000) revealed their speed to be just 64 km/h (40 mph). Therefore, we have a speed range of lions from 76 km/h to 64 km/h.

Maximum, Minimum, and Estimated Speed Comparison of Lion vs Tiger

Big Cat	Speed (mph) Speed (km/h)
Maximum Documented Speed of Lion	47 mph (75.64 km/h)
Minimum Documented Speed of Lion	40 mph (64.37 km/h)
Maximum Estimated Speed of Tiger	50 mph (80.47 km/h)
Minimum Estimated Speed of Tiger	40 mph (64.37 km/h)
Myrtle Beach Safari Tiger's Speed	45 mph (72.42 km/h)

The speed of lions is also gender specific. Females or lionesses are faster than male lions. The presence male lion's mane around his neck creates enough to reduce their speed. On the other hand, lionesses are slim. Therefore, their overall body offers perfect aerodynamics for faster sprinting than lions. This is the key reason that lionesses in the pride always lead from the front and make the first move for sprinting.

The speed of tigers is not very well documented in the literature. According to one of the documentaries on National Geographic, the speed of a tiger is about 80 km/h (50 mph). Dave Salmoni, a renowned big cat expert, set his pair of tigers to roam and hunt freely on the African Savanna. His tigers successfully chased and hunted a 70 km/h (43 mph) ostrich while sprinting. Similarly, a team of experts at the Myrtle Beach Safari in South Carolina measured the speed of tigers. They ran a lure at the speed of 73 km/h (45 mph) straight through their safari park, and their tigers successfully chased it. Dr. Bhagavan Antle, a big cat expert from Myrtle Beach Safari, claimed that female tigers sprint better than male tigers.

Arguments about Speeds of Lions and Tigers

Some people rate the speed of lions faster than tigers because lions make more sprints than tigers. They argue that tigers usually rely on stealth rather than making sprint runs and therefore may not be the best sprinters after all. However, tigers have very strong hind legs and they allow them to gain larger leaps while running. Therefore, there are more chances that tigers are faster than lions. Similarly, it is also argued that tigers have more weight and it can be a disadvantage in terms of speed. However, tigers have a huge weight variation in subspecies from 600 pounds to 250 pounds.

Research Required for Speeds of Lions and Tigers

Lastly, there is not a single research paper that dedicatedly measures the speed of either lions or tigers. Furthermore, an instrument to measure the true speed of lions and tigers lacks big time as well. And the speed difference between lions and tigers will be marginal and not very huge.

Speed Ranking Comparison of Lion, Lioness, Tiger, Tigress

Big Cat	Ranking
Lioness	Fastest
Tigress	Fastest
Male Tiger	Fast
Male Lion	Slowest

References

1. Basappanavar, C.H., 2021. The Eye of Tiger: Discover Untold Secrets of the World of Tigers!. Notion Press.
2. Kohn, T.A., Burroughs, R., Hartman, M.J., and Noakes, T.D., 2011. Fiber type and metabolic characteristics of lion (Panthera leo), caracal (Caracal caracal) and human skeletal muscle. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 159(2), pp.125-133.
3. Posnick, J., 2020. A Little About A Lot: Thoughts and Fun Facts about Human Nature, History, Religion, Science, and Much More. Independently Published.
4. Steele, C., 2003. Bengal Tigers. Capstone Press.