Search results
Learn how to distinguish cheetahs and leopards by their size, shape, coat, markings, facial features, tail, feet, claws, sounds, habitat, and hunting behaviour. See photos and examples of each cat's characteristics and compare their differences.
Cheetahs and leopards are both big cats found in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Leopards have yellow fur while cheetahs are tan. Cheetahs are known to hunt their prey during daytime whereas Leopards generally hunt during the night.
- 1 min
- Leopards are more widespread. Leopards and cheetahs live in different regions of the world and prefer different types of landscapes. Leopards are widespread and can be found throughout the continent of Africa, as well as in central Asia, India, Nepal, and China.
- Cheetahs have black “tear” markings. Cheetahs have very distinctive markings on their faces that readily distinguish them from other spotted cats. The black tear-like marking is a black line that comes down from the inner edge of each eye to frame the snout.
- Different spot patterns. Although both of these cats have spots, they are pretty different when you look at the spots up close! A leopard’s spots are made up of broken-up lines, resembling a rose.
- They have different color eyes. Cheetahs have brown eyes that blend in well against their fur. Their amber-colored eyes do not vary much between individuals, making it rare to find a cheetah with any other eye variation.
- Distinct Genus: Leopard vs Cheetah. African leopards are in the Panthera genus. They’re included with the following big cats: lions, tigers, snow leopards, and jaguars.
- Vocalizations. One reason African leopards are in the genus Panthera is that they are one of the few big cats that can roar. African leopards can do so because of a ligament they have in their larynx, or voice box.
- “Spot” the Difference: Distinct Patterns. There are differences in the markings between leopards and cheetahs. African leopards have an interesting design, in that some of their markings have a dark outer edge and a lighter color in the middle.
- Length Comparison: Leopard vs Cheetah. African leopards are longer than cheetahs. African leopards can get to over 6 feet (1.8 m) long. Some estimates have them up to 6.5 feet (2 m) long, while the biggest reported leopard came in at around 8 ft 10 in (2.7 m) when it was hunted down back in 1913.
Cheetah vs leopard: what's the difference? - Discover Wildlife
Jun 19, 2024 · Which is stronger: cheetah vs. leopard? While the cheetah commands the track with lightning speed, leopards are comparatively stronger among the big cats. Although smaller in size, the leopard’s muscular build, powerful teeth, jaws, and sharp claws offer it an advantage over the slender cheetah.
Feb 5, 2024 · Learn how to distinguish between cheetahs and leopards based on their coat patterns, facial features, body shapes, claws, tails, and hunting styles. Discover the adaptations and behaviors of these big cats and their habitats.
