Written by Sarah Chapman

Unless you’re a zoologist or an ailurophile (that’s a fancy name for a cat lover) it’s easy to mistake cheetahs for leopards and vice versa. The markings on these two wild cats make them quite similar in appearance. However, there are actually quite a few distinct differences between them. Read on to find out what they are.

Physical appearance

Size and body

The average weight of a male cheetah is about 54 kg and a female cheetah is 43 kg, while male leopards’ average weight is about 60-70 kg and female leopards are 30-40 kg. Although the difference between the average weight of these two big cats doesn’t seem significant, it’s the difference in the build that makes the difference. 

Cheetahs and leopards differ significantly in body type. Cheetahs stand higher above the ground due to their shoulder height. They are also significantly more slender than leopards, the latter of which has a robust, more stocky physique. Cheetahs are the fastest mammals on earth, so their small frame helps them move more quickly to catch their prey. 

Coats 

One of the main differences between cheetah and leopard is their coats. While Cheetah have round or oval spots, leopard have “rosettes” or rose-like markings on their coats.

Face 

Another striking difference between cheetah and leopard is their faces. Cheetah are immediately identifiable by the black “tear” line that runs from their eyes to the corners of their mouth. These lines serve an important role in their hunting behaviour. Cheetah prefer to hunt during the day. The black tear marks are thought to reflect the sun’s glare, helping them focus on their prey. Because leopard hunt at night, they don’t have these distinctive features on their faces.

Eyes

In contrast to cheetah, leopard prefer to hunt at night, although they will occasionally hunt during the day if necessary. Because of this, leopard have a lot of light-sensitive cells in their eyes, which detect less colour and allow them to easily spot movement and shapes in the dark. Their large pupils also allow a lot of light to enter, further improving their night vision. 

Cheetah have more amber-coloured eyes, while leopards’ eyes are generally a more green-blue colour.  

Tail 

Because of the different purpose that cheetahs and leopards’ tails serve, they differ in appearance. Cheetah’s tails are flatter and more rudder-like in their shape in order to help steer them while running. Meanwhile, the tail of a leopard is more tubular in shape, allowing for more balance when climbing trees and dragging large carcasses up.  

Feet and Claws 

Leopard have significantly larger front legs than hind legs, which help to support their large heads and necks. Conversely, cheetahs’ back legs are bigger than their front legs to help with their speed and acceleration while running. 

Another difference between these two cats is their claws. While leopard claws are retractable and are generally only used to climb trees and hunt prey, cheetah claws don’t retract. Their always-out claws give them traction and grip when running at top speeds. 

Behaviour

Hunting behaviour

As mentioned above, cheetah are day hunters, while leopard prefer to hunt at night. But, this isn’t a hard and fast rule as leopard can hunt during the day and vice versa with cheetah. Although, cheetah typically avoid being out when larger predators are more active. 

Cubs

Cheetah are physically weaker than leopard, which means that generally fewer of their young survive. Due to this, they usually give birth to 4-6 cubs at a time, hoping that at least some of them will reach adulthood. In contrast, leopard usually only give birth to about 2 or 3 cubs because they have a much higher chance of surviving. 

Habitat

Cheetahs use trees as a means to gain a good vantage point for prey-spotting purposes but don’t spend nearly as much time in trees as leopards. Leopards also often drag their kill up a tree. This would not be possible with a cheetah, which doesn’t have the same strength.

Now it’s your turn! Can you tell the difference?

Left: leopard; Right: cheetah

Feel like telling the difference up close? Let’s start planning your trip.