Cheetah vs Leopard: Important Differences for Students

Cheetahs and leopards are both a part of the big cat family. Although often confused due to their almost similar appearance, both are very different from each other. However, many students are unable to spot the differences between cheetahs and leopards. Learning interesting facts about animals can help students improve their general knowledge and perform well in competitive exams and school competitions. In this blog, you will read all about a cheetah vs leopard and what makes them different from each other. Let’s get started with the difference between the cheetah and leopard.

What is the Difference Between Cheetah and Leopard?

Although cheetahs and leopards may appear similar to students, these predators differ significantly. From their build, hunting techniques, and habitats to appearance, there is a lot to learn about these two important members of the big cat family. 

Parameter	Facts about Cheetahs	Facts about Leopards
Scientific name	Acinonyx jubatus	Panthera pardus
Habitat	Forests, savannas, grasslands, deserts, and mountainous regions	Grasslands, savannahs, and temperate to hot deserts
Found in	North Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa	Africa, Central Asia, India, and China
Average lifespan in the wild	10-12 years	12 to 15 years
Average size	112 to 150 cm	210 cm (84 inches)
Average speed of running	110-120 km/hour75 miles per hour	50-60 km/hour 35 miles per hour
Appearance	Tan coloured furOval-shaped or round spots	Yellow fur Irregular-shaped markings grouped in circles to create rose-like markings
Build	Tall, slender, light-weight body	Short, broad, and bulky body
Eyes	Small pupils and amber-coloured eyes	Big pupils and green-coloured eyes
Gestation period	90-95 days gestation periodA litter of 4-8 cubs	90-105 days gestation periodA litter of 2-3 cubs
Habits	Diurnal	Nocturnal

Cheetah vs Leopard – Size and Appearance

When comparing cheetahs and leopards, their size and appearance are the two most striking differences. Both animals have unique physical characteristics that differentiate them from the rest of the big cat family.

• While cheetahs are known for their tall and slender body, leopards are generally shorter and broader. 
• Similarly, cheetahs are more lightweight. Their natural build, involving smaller heads and longer legs helps them sprint after prey at high speeds. 
• On the other hand, leopards are heavier and bulkier. Their short legs and big heads help climb trees. 
• The back feet of cheetahs are larger than their front feet, helping them accelerate easily. Their tails are also flatter than leopards and help maintain balance at high speeds. 
• Leopards have larger front feet than their back feet, helping them climb trees with prey. Their tails are more round which helps them balance as they climb to a certain height. 

Also Read: 25+ Facts About Leopard for Kids

Difference Between Cheetah and Leopard Spots

The spot pattern of animals helps them camouflage in their habitats and ambush their prey. It also hides them from other predators. Here are the differences between cheetah vs leopard spots. 

• The spots found on a cheetah’s body are oval-shaped or round. 
• Leopards have irregular-shaped markings, often grouped in circles to create rosette (rose-like) markings. Moreover, leopards have prominent spots on their faces especially on their muzzles.
• Cheetahs are tan-coloured, whereas leopards have more yellow fur.

Cheetah vs Leopard – Eyes

Did you know that the difference between cheetah and leopard eyes helps them in their hunting habits and survival strategies? Understanding these key differences can help you learn how these big cats use their features to hunt prey.

• Cheetahs have black lines running down their faces, called tear lines. These start from their inner eyes and run to their mouth. Leopards do not have such tear lines on their face.
• Cheetahs have amber-colored eyes whereas leopards have greenish eyes. 

Also Read: 31 Interesting Facts About Cheetahs- World’s Fastest Land Animal

Cheetah vs Leopard – Habitats

The habitat of predators such as cheetahs and leopards helps them make the most of their hunting skills and capabilities. 

• Leopards hunt during the night and rest throughout the day. 
• Cheetahs have been known to hunt by the moonlight. 
• Leopards tend to relax on the branches of trees during the day. 
• Cheetahs prefer open large spaces such as grasslands and savannas. These habitats help them prey at exceptional speeds. However, leopards prefer to live in grasslands, mountainous regions, forests, and tropical areas.
• Leopards are found in northeast Africa, China, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and India. Cheetahs inhibit a large part of Africa including the Sahel, eastern and southern Africa, and North Africa.

Cheetah vs Leopard Speed

Interestingly, cheetahs and leopards are both fast predators. While cheetahs are built for fast speeds and short chase, leopards are known to rely on their strength to catch prey. 

• Cheetahs can run at the speed of 110-120 km/hour or up to 75 miles per hour. They can easily accelerate from 0 to 64 mph in just three seconds. 
• Leopards can run at the speed of 50-60 km/hour or about 35 miles per hour. 

Cheetah vs Leopard Behavior

Cheetahs and leopards display different behaviors that help them survive in their habitats and enhance their hunting skills. 

• Cheetahs are diurnal animals, meaning that they are more active during the day. 
• On the contrary, leopards are nocturnal animals who prefer to hunt during the dark of the night. 

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