CHEETAS VS LEOPARDS
How many times have you confused a cheetah for a leopard? Or a leopard for a cheetah? While these fierce cats are considered cousins, they are not the same. Just like you and your cousins, they too have different features that set them apart from each other.
Common name: Cheetah
Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus
Diet: They mainly prey on small to medium-sized antelope such as springbok, impala and duiker. They also eat warthogs, rabbits, birds and the young of larger antelope or wildebeest.
Average lifespan: 10 - 12 years
Height: 70 - 90 cm
Weight: 35 - 60 kg
Habitat: Once found throughout Asia and Africa, today there are fewer than 7,100 adult and adolescent cheetahs in the wild. Most wild cheetahs live in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique and Zambia. Namibia has the largest number of individuals of any country, earning it the nickname, “The Cheetah Capital of the World”. More than 75% of the remaining wild cheetahs live on rural farmlands alongside human communities.
How to tell a cheetah from a leopard
The patterns on the body Cheetahs have spots on their coats while leopards have rosettes formed by irregular-shaped spots grouped together.
The facial markings Cheetahs have “tear” marks on their faces running from the inner corner of their eyes down the cheeks to the corner of their mouths. Leopards have no such markings.
The paws and paw prints Leopards have retractable claws. This enables them to climb trees and grab their prey. Cheetahs’ nails are always out (non-retractable). This provides them with a much-needed grip at high speed. Leopards do not leave claw marks in their tracks, while cheetahs do. Their active times of day Leopards are nocturnal (mostly active at night). Cheetahs are diurnal (mostly active during the day).
Hunting methods Leopards stalk and ambush their prey. Cheetahs rely on their speed to hunt.
Eyes Leopards have green-blue coloured eyes. Cheetahs have amber coloured eyes.
Body and build Cheetahs are light, tall and fast. Leopards are bigger and stronger.
Social structures Leopards are loners while cheetahs are often found in groups.
Common name: Leopard Scientific name: Panthera pardus Diet: These big cats eat a variety of food, from wildebeest to fish, but most of their diet comes in the form of antelope. Average lifespan: 12 - 17 years Height: 60 - 70 cm Weight: Females are smaller and weigh 17- 60 kg whereas males weigh 20 - 90 kg Habitat: Leopards are found in Africa and Asia, from the Middle Eastern nations to Russia, Korea, China, India, and Malaysia. They live in forests, mountains, deserts and grasslands.