Boundaries Never Heard of Them

Lions and tigers are the two biggest cats in the world, but they could hardly be more different socially. Lions are the only truly social big cats. They live in prides of related females and their cubs, and they greet each other constantly with head rubs, body bumps and rubbing against each other, spreading scent and strengthening bonds. They also nap in cozy heaps, sleeping up to 20 hours a day. Tigers, on the other hand, mostly live and hunt alone, and they keep large territories to themselves, so personal space matters more to them. In the wild, the two species almost never meet, since lions live mostly in Africa and a small population in India, while tigers live in Asia. Clips like this usually come from sanctuaries or zoos, where big cats that have grown up together can form unusual friendships. That doesn't make big cats safe to approach. Both are powerful predators, so care teams manage their groups carefully, and it's best to enjoy them from a distance and support accredited sanctuaries.