Cheetah, Jaguar or Leopard? 90% People Get This Wrong, Here’s How to Tell Them Apart Instantly

When people think of big cats, they often picture tigers and lions. These two are easy to recognize. But when it comes to cheetahs, jaguars, and leopards, many people get confused. That’s because these three cats look very similar at first glance, all have spots and a similar body shape. However, if you look a little closer, you’ll see that each one is different in its own way. 

Here’s a simple guide to help you tell them apart the next time you see a wildlife documentary or visit a zoo.

Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth. It can run at a speed of up to 112 km/h (70 mph) for short distances. Cheetahs live in parts of Africa and a small region in Iran. Unlike other big cats, the cheetah belongs to a different group called Acinonyx and is not part of the Panthera family.

Cheetahs have a slim, lightweight body. They usually stand between 28 and 35 inches tall and weigh between 46 and 159 pounds. Their coat is yellowish-tan with around 2,000 black spots, but what truly makes them easy to spot are the black tear-like marks that run from the inner corners of their eyes down to the sides of their mouths. These markings help protect their eyes from the sun and give them sharp vision when hunting.

Cheetahs are most active during the day and often hunt alone, especially the females. They cannot roar like other big cats, and their sound is more like a chirp or a purr. Today, cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to loss of habitat and conflict with humans.

Jaguar

The jaguar is the largest cat in North and South America and the third largest in the world after the tiger and lion. It belongs to the Panthera family and is a strong swimmer, often found near rivers in rainforests.

Jaguars are heavy and powerful, weighing between 124 and 211 pounds. Their coats are yellow or orange with black spots, but unlike cheetahs, their spots often form rosettes, circular patterns with a dot in the center. Some jaguars even appear all black, a condition called melanism, but their spots can still be seen in bright light.

They are mostly active at night and prefer to live alone. Jaguars are classified as near threatened because of deforestation and poaching in their native regions.

Leopard

The leopard is the most widespread of the three and lives in parts of Africa and Asia. It is smaller than the jaguar, standing 22 to 28 inches tall and weighing between 62 and 198 pounds.

Leopards look very similar to jaguars but have smaller, closer-set spots. These also form rosettes but without the central dot. Forest-dwelling leopards tend to be darker in color than those that live in deserts.

Leopards are quiet and skilled hunters. They are excellent climbers and often drag their prey up into trees to keep it safe from other animals. Like jaguars, leopards also live alone and usually hunt at night.