Hybrid Genetics of Liger Cubs

Liger cubs have hybrid genetics. These hybrid genetics for the liger cubs come from their fathers (Male African/Asiatic Lions) and their mothers (Female Bengal/Siberian Tigresses). Genetics basically represent the trait inheritance from the parents into the offspring. Usually when the parents are from the exact same gene, the genetics is always well-understood and well-known, however; if the parents have slightly variable genes (Like in the case of liger cub hybrids resulting from male Lions and tigresses) the genetics of the resultant species takes a new turn and yields new insights. So, this takes us to prompt couple of questions about the genetics of the liger cubs i.e., What’s the composition of their chromosomes? What’s the trait inheritance of liger cubs? What’s the level of their genetic health? Is it possible that hybrid genetic is more vigorous? These are the key questions that will be addressed in this article and within the context of the liger cubs.

Speaking about the genetic composition of the chromosomes of the liger cubs, they have about 38 chromosomes in total. This is stated by Dr. Bhagavan Antle who is a liger expert from at least last 3 decades. According to him, 19 of these chromosomes come from the tigress and 19 of the chromosomes comes from the lion. Both lions and tigers have same numbers of chromosomes and there is a slight variation within their genetic composition. Therefore; genetically; Hybridization is highly likely in this case (Lion and tiger hybridization), as the chromosomes of both species (lion & tigress) are equal. Moreover; further breeding from the resultant hybrid species is also possible as well. In simple words liger cubs are genetically blessed with equal numbers of chromosomes and when they grow up they can breed further as well.

If we study the genetics of the liger cubs in terms of their physical trait inheritance, we shall always find a blend of lion’s physical attributes as well as tiger’s physical attributes. From the first look at the time of birth; liger cubs have a pale brown skin which resembles them with the genetics of lions while the stripes on their skin takes them closer to the genetics of the tigers. Similarly; tails and facial markings of the liger cubs further resembles their genetics closely to that of the tigers. And when they grow up the mane around their neck it takes them closer to lion. Therefore; physically the inherited genetics of the liger cubs are a blend of lion and tiger mixed.

But what about the genetic health about the hybrids and liger cubs? Liger cubs are genetically very healthy. Under normal circumstances they are free from any kind of health issues, diseases, disability and dysfunctions. According to Science Daily; a researcher named as Fitzpatrick was studying dysfunction about hybrid genetics, however; to his surprise rather than finding a dysfunction within hybrid genetics, he rather found vigor, strength and more stable health within the species born through the process of hybridization. He was studying hybridization within various salamander species. This same conceptual finding can be concluded for hybridization of lions and tigers as well. Therefore; the liger cubs are genetically very healthy.

Liger cubs possess vigorous genetics because of the process of hybridization. According to the findings of Science Daily, when the closely related species are hybridized, they cancel out undesirable variations within the genes. This canceling of genes variation also leads to greater vigor. The same is true about the hybridization of lion and tigress to produce liger cubs as well. Both lions and tigers are closely related with one another and their resultant hybrid offspring (Liger Cubs) are genetically more vigorous. Take an example of the growth rate of the liger cubs. Their growth rate is much faster and vigorous right from the start as compared to the growth rate of the lion cubs as well as the tiger cubs.

Traditionally; hybrids were produced throughout the history especially for the warfare activities. Horses, camels, dogs and wolves were the prime targets at the warfare to have a competitive advantage at that time. The hybrids of these species were easier to handle, had a better endurance and they were bigger than their parents. The same is true about liger cubs as well. Their growth rate is higher which allows them to be huge, their strength level is impeccable and their personality is very mild which allows their caretakers to handle them very easily. So right from the start the liger cubs have very vigorous genes and this is all because of their hybrid genetics.

Author: Usman Masood

Published Date: February 12, 2017

Last Modified: February 12, 2017

Publisher: LIGER CUBS

Genre: Liger Cubs, Lion, Tiger, Cross Breeding, Hybrid, Panthera

Copyright Holder: © Liger Cubs - All Rights Reserved

Copyright Year: 2017