Using stealth they creep up on their prey before accelerating to top speed in just a few strides. Leopards are Faster, Jaguar are StrongerĪfrican leopards can reach a top speed of 56-60 km/h (35-37 mph). If you see more than one then it is either a mother with cub, a mating pair, or you are in a zoo. They are expert predators who live a solitary existence and fiercely defend their territory. Jaguar and Leopard are Solitary Animalsīoth species display similar behaviour. Jaguars now find sanctuary in deeper rainforest as they have lost their habitat elsewhere. In Russia, leopards inhabit snowy forests and brave temperatures of 25 below.Īfrica’s leopards are most abundant in areas of savannah, where there is a mix of grasslands and trees. They’ve found leopard fossils all over Europe. Leopards used to live in Hong Kong and Japan. Unfortunately they were hunted to extinction in North America. Jaguars used to roam California, the Grand Canyon and Texas. This may reflect the 21 st century but back in history these cats had far larger ranges. Popular perception is that jaguars live in the rainforest and leopards live in trees on the African savannah. They are most commonly associated with trees. Their heads are much larger and their ears aren’t as prominent.īoth these cats are adaptive hunters that can survive in many different habitats. In comparison, jaguar have fat rounded faces. They have small angular heads with sharp cheekbones and clearly defined lines. Leopards have long feline tails to match their longer, slimmer bodies. Jaguars have short tails to match their stocky bodies. If body shape isn’t enough to tell them apart then look at the tail. So despite weighing less, leopards are longer than their South American cousins. Leopards have longer, more slender bodies. Jaguars are stocky animals, with broad shoulder muscles and a robust build. Body Shapeīody shape is the easiest trick when comparing jaguar vs leopard. Leopard and jaguar are virtually the same height, with the average South American cat just a couple of centimetres taller than an African leopard at the shoulder. The females are much smaller, sometimes just 28 kg (61 lb). Male leopards are almost the same size as male jaguars, from 40-90 kg (88-198 lb). However, female leopards can be up to 30% lighter than the males. They weigh similar to humans, with males ranging from 60-100 kg (132-220 lb), yet sometimes getting as big as 150 kg (330 lb).īoth species are sexually dimorphic, which means that the females are smaller and lighter. Jaguar are larger although this isn’t immediately distinguishable. Jaguar rosettes are larger and inside these rosettes there is a central black spot. Leopard rosettes are small and tightly packed. SpotsĪt first glance it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between leopard and jaguar spots.īoth have a beautiful rosette pattern that’s quite distinct from a cheetah’s solid black spots. But who wants to see captive animals when they can be experienced in the wild! 2. Wild jaguars can only be found in South and Central America, with most of the population residing in the Amazon. The vast majority of this population is found in East and Southern Africa. Leopards are native to Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia. The easiest way to tell the difference is to think about where you are.
Here are the top 12 differences that will help you understand jaguar vs leopard. So you need to look at many subtle differences. It’s very difficult to tell them apart because they are never seen in the same place – except in zoos and that doesn’t count. These are the only animals capable of making a roar and are the most fearsome predators in the wild. They are wild cat members of the Panthera genus, along with lion and tiger. Leopards and jaguars, legends of the animal kingdom that are very difficult to tell apart.
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