The tigon is a hybrid cross between a male tiger and a female lion. The tigon isn't currently as common as the converse hybrid, the liger; however, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tigons were more common than ligers. Tigons can exhibit characteristics of both parents: they can have both spots from the mother (lions carry genes for spots — lion cubs are spotted) and stripes from the father. Any mane that a male tigon may have will appear shorter and less noticeable than a lion… (More on Tigon)