Sumatran Tiger vs. West African Lion

Attribute	Sumatran Tiger	West African Lion
Species	Panthera tigris sumatrae	Panthera leo leo
Location	Sumatra, Indonesia	West Africa
Population	Estimated around 400-500 individuals	Population decreasing, estimated around 400 individuals
Size	Smaller and more compact	Larger and more muscular
Coat Color	Dark orange with black stripes	Tawny yellow with a mane
Main Prey	Deer, wild boar, and fish	Antelope, zebra, and buffalo

Physical Attributes

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all tiger subspecies, with males typically weighing between 220-310 pounds and females weighing between 165-243 pounds. They have a distinctive dark orange coat with thick black stripes. In contrast, the West African lion is larger, with males weighing between 330-550 pounds and females weighing between 265-395 pounds. They have a lighter coat compared to the Sumatran tiger, with a tawny color and a mane that varies in color from blonde to black.

Habitat

Sumatran tigers are found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where they inhabit a variety of habitats including lowland forests, peat swamps, and montane forests. They are highly adapted to living in dense vegetation and are excellent swimmers. On the other hand, West African lions are found in the savannas and grasslands of West Africa, including countries like Senegal, Mali, and Nigeria. They are well adapted to the open plains and rely on their speed and strength to hunt prey.

Behavior

Sumatran tigers are solitary animals, with males and females only coming together to mate. They are primarily nocturnal hunters, relying on their keen senses of sight and hearing to locate prey. They are known for their stealth and agility, often ambushing their prey from a hidden position. In contrast, West African lions are social animals, living in prides that consist of multiple females, their offspring, and a few males. They are primarily active during the early morning and evening, known as crepuscular hunters.

Diet

Sumatran tigers are carnivores, with their diet consisting mainly of large mammals such as deer, wild boar, and tapirs. They are also known to prey on smaller animals like monkeys and birds. Due to their smaller size compared to other tiger subspecies, they typically hunt smaller prey. West African lions are also carnivores, with their diet consisting of a variety of large mammals including antelope, zebras, and buffalo. They are apex predators in their ecosystem and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the food chain.

Conservation Status

The Sumatran tiger is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with only an estimated 400-600 individuals left in the wild. They face threats such as habitat loss due to deforestation, poaching for their body parts, and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their remaining habitat and prevent further decline in their population. On the other hand, the West African lion is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated population of 400-800 individuals. They face similar threats as the Sumatran tiger, including habitat loss and poaching, but efforts are being made to protect their remaining populations in national parks and reserves.