The liger ( Panthera leogris ) is a cross (a hybrid) between a female tiger and a male lion . It is therefore a member of genus Panthera . It has also been known as a lion-tiger mule . A liger looks like a giant lion with diffused stripes. Some male ligers grow sparse manes. Like tigers, but unlike lions, ligers enjoy swimming. The liger is the largest animal in the feline family Felidae .