# Can a Wolf win against a Tiger, and a Lion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 27, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533 "2011-07-27T19:53:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dfb087/32.png) [@Marissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marissa)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/21 "2011-07-27T22:23:38Z")
> [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](#): > > An 80 lb wolf, on its best day, with the drop on either the lion or the tiger, could probably inflict some damage to the big kitty right away, but probably only enough to piss the cat off. The 400-500 lb cat would snap the doggy’s spine like a twig if the wolf was dumb enough to stand its ground. The question of the wolf besting a tiger and then taking a run at a lion isn’t even worth asking. > > Now, if you put a similarly sized cat into the equation against the wolf, like a cougar, now you’ve got yourself a pretty fair fight, although I’d probably put my money on the wolf. Chances are, a cougar would take the better part of valour route and run up the nearest tree until the wolf got bored and left. I’ve actually got some videos. Both are Wolf vs. Cougar of course. The first is from a show called Animal Face off: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EDHKldoqMM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EDHKldoqMM) The second, I’m not sure exactly what the show is called, more than likely Animal Legends, Unlike the first it shows an actual real Wolf vs. Cougar fight. Pay close attention to the ending, maybe pausing it around 00:26, and from there it is easy to guess who probably won: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5fBiKVQhO4&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5fBiKVQhO4&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Marissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dfb087/32.png) [@Marissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marissa)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/22 "2011-07-27T22:27:11Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](#): > > This is an **everyday** argument for you? Yes, I should have rephrased that, currently, yes, I actually have this conversation quite often, but this mainly because of coming across so many people who are a part of a “wolf cult”, or better known as “wolfaboo’s” ---
**Author:** ![Marissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dfb087/32.png) [@Marissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marissa)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/23 "2011-07-27T22:30:22Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > I’m guessing there’s some sort of role-playing game involved and the characters are either anthropomorphic animals or have animal familiars. Those people can argue about anything, and don’t ever stop. Actually, it’s more that I have been getting into wolfaboo’s. Their ignorance and lack of proof is becoming a nuisance. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/24 "2011-07-27T22:39:20Z")
Of course, a bear would wipe the floor with all three. ---
**Author:** ![eddiec3434](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@eddiec3434](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eddiec3434)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/25 "2011-07-27T22:55:50Z")
Canine vs. Feline? The cats are too heavy, fast , strong and kill much more efficiently in this case. Sorry Mr. Wolf. Stick to rabbits and field mice. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/26 "2011-07-27T23:10:44Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Lions and tigers typically work more lone kills, though share results. Lions will hunt in groups if they have to. Even [elephants](http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/planet-earth-great-plains-lions-hunt-elephant.html). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/27 "2011-07-27T23:13:20Z")
Wolves are much better card players. So yes, it would win. It would lose in the “Mr Luxurious Mane of Hair” competition against the lion though. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/28 "2011-07-27T23:35:43Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Lions and tigers typically work more lone kills, though share results. Lions are primarily pack hunters, though females do most of the work. A single lion can survive alone, but probably won’t take much big game. Tigers are mainly solitary hunters, though a female and offspring may hunt together. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/29 "2011-07-27T23:43:59Z")
The only dog-like sort of creature that has a chance against a lion is the hyena (because of its vise-like jaws), but that’s a slim one. There is footage of a hyena pack taking down an injured and sick female lion, but a male lion will tear a hyena apart in short order (there is also footage of that happening). The main thing to remember about big cats is that they have large muscle mass, and five of its six ends have long, sharp points, all of which are capable of ripping and rending. A wolf or any other doggy-type species relies on its teeth only. Now, when you move down the predator scale to something the size of a cheetah, a hyena stands a very good chance. A cheetah will always run from a hyena that wants its food, since a broken leg means starvation. I’d say a wolf could probably run off a cheetah as well. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/30 "2011-07-27T23:48:52Z")
Some random quotes from the Wiki > [@](#): > > Brown bears are encountered by wolves in both Eurasia and North America. Generally, the outcome of such encounters depends on context: brown bears typically prevail against wolves in disputes over carcasses, while wolves mostly prevail against bears when defending their den sites. > > Wolves have been recorded on numerous occasions to actively seek out black bears in their dens and kill them without eating them. Unlike brown bears, black bears frequently lose against wolves in disputes over kills. > > Although they rarely interact, wolves and cougars will kill each other, with packs of the former sometimes usurping the latter’s kills. > > Other than humans, tigers appear to be the only serious predators of wolves I didn’t see any mention of African lions. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/31 "2011-07-27T23:59:35Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > I didn’t see any mention of African lions. Most likely because there aren’t any wolves in Africa (at least _Canis lupus_). They do overlap in range in India, but lions have a very limited range there today. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/32 "2011-07-28T00:15:58Z")
> [@Marissa](#): > > Actually, it’s more that I have been getting into wolfaboo’s. Their ignorance and lack of proof is becoming a nuisance. _thinking_ What the heck is a “wolfaboo”?! _googling_ OK… weird… wait, what? “Wikifur, the furry encyclopedia”… Oh lordy this is a monitored work machine… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/33 "2011-07-28T00:24:42Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Of course, a bear would wipe the floor with all three. Would it? A bear versus a lion? My money is still on the lion. In my totally unscientific opinion, bears seem slower and dumber. Are they that much more powerful, claws and teeth wise? ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/34 "2011-07-28T00:32:30Z")
Speaking of lions & hyenas, here’s my favorite part of _Eternal Enemies_. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejeWqQ6fxqo) “He Who Greets with Fire” indeed! ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/35 "2011-07-28T00:34:25Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Would it? A bear versus a lion? My money is still on the lion. In my totally unscientific opinion, bears seem slower and dumber. Are they that much more powerful, claws and teeth wise? If we’re talking grizzlies or polar bears, my money is on the bear. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/36 "2011-07-28T00:54:55Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Would it? A bear versus a lion? My money is still on the lion. In my totally unscientific opinion, bears seem slower and dumber. Are they that much more powerful, claws and teeth wise? I’m not sure how seriously to take the TV show [Animal Face-Off](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Face-Off), but they concluded that a Siberian tiger could not do enough damage to a Siberian brown bear and that the bear would win in a fight. For what it’s worth, the same show gives a cougar the edge over a wolf. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/37 "2011-07-28T04:24:35Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The only dog-like sort of creature that has a chance against a lion is the hyena (because of its vise-like jaws), but that’s a slim one. It’s worth noting that, while hyenas are often PERCEIVED as “dog-like,” they’re NOT canines at all. They’re somewhere between cats and mongooses. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/38 "2011-07-28T04:47:23Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Would it? A bear versus a lion? My money is still on the lion. In my totally unscientific opinion, bears seem slower and dumber. Are they that much more powerful, claws and teeth wise? According to Stephen Fry on _QI_, an unscrupulous 19th Century San Francisco fight promotor once arranged a fight between a bear and a lion, the latter imported at great expense. The bear simple lumbered over to the lion, grabbed its head and crushed its skull, ending the fight in 30 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/39 "2011-07-28T04:49:52Z")
Really, all of these animal vs. animal fights can be answered with a single question: Which one weighs more. The more massive animal will almost always beat the less massive one. There is, however, some range where the bigger animal might win, but would take significant damage. In this range, you’ll generally see animals try to avoid a fight if possible. This can come down to motivation: It’s not worth it to a wolf to try to fight a bear over a carcass, since the bear will probably win. But when it’s the wolf’s lair at stake, it _is_ worth it for the wolf, but it’s no longer worth it for the bear. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533/40 "2011-07-28T04:53:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Really, all of these animal vs. animal fights can be answered with a single question: Which one weighs more. The more massive animal will almost always beat the less massive one. Though the Wolverine often fights above its weight class. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-wolf-win-against-a-tiger-and-a-lion/590533.md?page=3)