Times of Eswatini

10 DIFFERENCE­S BETWEEN LEOPARDS, CHEETAHS

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HYSICAL BUILD: Leopards have a more muscular and stocky build compared to the slender and lightweigh­t body structure of cheetahs. C OAT PATTERN: Leopards have rosette-shaped spots on their fur, which are larger and more irregular in shape compared to the solid black spots found on cheetahs. B

ODY SHAPE: Leopards have a longer body and shorter legs, while cheetahs have a more elongated body and longer legs, which are adaptation­s for their respective hunting strategies. H EAD SHAPE: Leopards have a larger and broader head with a prominent jaw line, while cheetahs have a smaller head and a more delicate facial structure. T EARDROP MARKINGS: Cheetahs have distinctiv­e black tear-like markings that run from the inner corner of their eyes down to the sides of their mouth, which leopards lack. R UNNING SPEED: Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour in short bursts, while leopards are not as fast. H

UNTING TECHNIQUE: Cheetahs rely on their incredible speed and agility to chase down prey in open grasslands, while leopards are ambush predators that rely on stealth and strength to capture their prey. H

ABITAT: Leopards are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of habitats including forests, mountains and grasslands, whereas cheetahs are primarily found in open grasslands and savannas. S

OCIAL BEHAVIOUR: Leopards are solitary animals and prefer to live and hunt alone, while cheetahs are more social and often live in small family groups. D

ISTRIBUTIO­N: Leopards have a wider distributi­on across Africa, Asia and parts of the Middle East, while cheetahs are mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa with a small population in Iran.

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