A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-26-06....CAT TAILS - Ligers

DollyCali and all of the Finest AT the Finest | October 26, 2006 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

He looks like something from a prehistoric age or a fantastic creation from Hollywood. But Hercules is very much living flesh and blood -- as he proves every time he opens his gigantic mouth to roar.

Part lion, part tiger, he is not just a big cat but a huge one, standing 10ft tall on his back legs. Called a liger, in reference to his crossbreed parentage, he is the largest of all the cat species. On a typical day he will devour 20lb of meat, usually beef or chicken, and is capable of eating 100lb at a single setting. At just three years old, Hercules already weighs half a ton.

He is the accidental result of two enormous big cats living close together at the Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species, in Miami, Florida, and already dwarfs both his parents.

"Ligers are not something we planned on having ," said institute owner Dr Bhagavan Antle. "We have lions and tigers living together in large enclosures and at first we had no idea how well one of the lion boys was getting along with a tiger girl, then lo and behold we had a liger."

50mph runner... Not only that, but he likes to swim, a feat unheard of among water-fearing lions. In the wild it is virtually impossible for lions and tigers to mate. Not only are they enemies likely to kill one another, but most lions are in Africa and most tigers in Asia. But incredible though he is, Hercules is not unique Ligers have been bred in captivity, deliberately and accidentally, since shortly before World War II.

Today there are believed to be a handful of ligers around the world and a similar number of tigons, the product of a tiger father and lion mother. Tigons are smaller than ligers and take on more physical characteristics of the tiger.

According to Snopes, this is true

10-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #17

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-23-06 Military Monday 10-24-06 Autumn Splendor 10-24-06 Warm Fuzzy Wednesday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Lady Jag]

Do zebras get beads?

[Billie]

YIKES!!! That is ONE HUMONGOUS CAT! Really interesting post, Dolly, and you presented it beautifully. Great pictures. I have never heard of a Liger before - thank you for bringing us another informative and interesting thread today. I think we should dub you Dr. Dolly Doolittle. :)

And speaking of cat tails.......

[Majie Purple]

Those specifically listed as recipents... Thanks for the pings thus far today!!!

[Majie Purple]

Ligers, And Tigons, And Cat Tails Oh My!

[Majie Purple]

A Tale of Two(types of wild) Kitties!

[Diver Dave]

And speaking of cat tails.......

;^)

[potlatch]

[Majie Purple]

[Billie]

And speaking of cat tails.......

:)

So......changing the subject again, but when cqn I expect the Hoover to arrive? :)

[Diver Dave]

but when cqn I expect the Hoover to arrive? :)

I was cruisin' down the interstate to your place and got pulled over by a Kirby Kop. Long story... awaiting bail from Mr Dyson. :)

[Majie Purple]

[El Gato]

That is one BIG kitty cat.

Magnificent too.

[dutchess]

Great thread today Dolly. I had never heard of a Liger either. When I first saw the title I thought oh oh...dolly mispelled Tiger. (something I've been known to do) I should have know better!!!! Anyway, love the topic, border, presentation...it all!

[Majie Purple]

[dutchess]

Thanks for all the cute pics and keeping the thread bumped. Appreciate everything you do here!

[dutchess]

Wow..what an awesome picture. Don't think I would be messing with that Liger! YIKES! (but it is one magnificant looking creature)

[dutchess]

Okay...hoovers, kirbys....what am I missing :o)

[dutchess]

Very lovely tables today meg. Thanks as always!

[Billie]

Okay...hoovers, kirbys....what am I missing :o)

Well, we have been missing *you*!

On yesterday's thread, Lori said something about having to clean house for company for dinner last night, and Dave posted his riding vacuum cleaner and told her "Have Hoover, will travel."

I told him to "Go East Young Man!" (with a map of Texas below) :)

I am GLAD TO SEE YOU!!!

[Billie]

Bring it on! :)