These three big cats are superficially similar -- all spotted, all gorgeous. But there are some major differences in behavior and physicality that I'll talk about below. There's a bit more we could delve into, but this is just an easy-peasy guide to distinguishing them!
Cheetah (Africa, Middle East): Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the only cat in its genus; it has a unique physical structure and is well-known as the "fastest land animal." The cheetah makes its home on the African or Asian savanna or other grassland.
- Smaller, slighter build with a smaller head -- about the size of a large greyhound or lurcher dog. Remember: these cats are built for speed and small prey
- Spots are "thumbprint" type -- imagine dipping your thumb in ink and dabbing it all over the animal
Physical Identification
- Face looks more like a kitten's, and is uniquely identifiable by two long black "tear tracks" coming down either side of the nose
- Unlike other cats, cheetah cannot retract their claws up into their paw pads; they are always exposed
Behavioral Identification
- Hunts small prey in grasslands
- Hunts only during the day
- Very skittish of other cats/predators (they're too small to fight off a lion!)
- Become accustomed to humans much more quickly/easily
- Younger cats may be seen in small groups ("bachelor herds")
Killing Style
- Hides in the long grass, then chases
- Prefers to run its prey down and kill with a bite to the throat
- Not interested in putting up a fight; will quickly abandon a kill if larger predators arrive
Primary Advantage: Speed
Leopard (Africa, Middle East, Asia): Panthera pardus
The leopard is one of the most widely-distributed cats in the world, ranging across nearly three continents. These skilled hunters can be found in grasslands, jungle, and near human settlements
Physical Identification
- Stocky build with strong musculature, about the size of a young bear -- this is an animal built for carrying heavy prey up into trees
- Spots are "rosette" type -- imagine bunching your fingers up together and dipping them in ink, then "stamping" all over the animal
- Head is fatter and heavier, like a lion's or jaguar's with strong jaws and typical "wild cat" look
- Tail either spotted as rest of the body or light-tipped
Behavioral Identification
- Hunts small and medium/large-size prey in woody grasslands and sometimes forests
- Prefers to hunt during the night
- Uses trees as territorial defense (esp. to escape larger predators -- e.g. lions)
- Does NOT become accustomed to humans quickly/easily -- very elusive
- Excellent camouflage; they are the "shadow cat" -- can be 10 ft away and you still don't see them
- Very solitary -- only mother + cubs spend long periods of time together
Killing Style
- Prefers to stalk and ambush
- Attacks the throat to kill/throttle quickly
- NOT interested in putting up a fight against larger predators (e.g. lions) but does not like to abandon a kill, and so usually retreats with its meal (often to the trees)
Primary Advantage: Stealth, Strength
Jaguar (South America, Central America, North America): Panthera onca
The jaguar is the largest cat of the Americas; it is a renowned, stealthy hunter that prefers forest cover to attack and kill medium/large prey.
Physical Identification
- Stocky build with strong musculature, about the size of a young bear -- this is an animal built for carrying heavy prey up into trees
- Spots are "dirty rosette" type -- imagine bunching your fingers up together and dipping them in ink, then "stamping" all over the animal, THEN using your pinky finger to put an extra couple of dots in the middle
- Head is sleek and heavy, like a lion's or leopard's, but a bit more proportionate -- still has that typical "wild cat" look
- Tail is often darker at the tip
Behavioral Identification
- Hunts small and medium-size prey in forests
- Prefers to hunt during the night
- Uses trees as territorial defense and for ambushing
- Does NOT become accustomed to humans quickly/easily -- very elusive
- Excellent camouflage; they are the "shadow cat" of the Americas -- can be 10 ft away and you still don't see them
- Very solitary -- only mother + cubs spend long periods of time together
Killing Style
- Prefers to follow + ambush from the trees
- Kills with a bite to the back of the neck, breaking the neck