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How to Tell a Leopard & a Cheetah Apart

Both the cheetah and leopard are species of big cat that are native to the African continent. There are also species of leopard that are native to China, India and central Asia, including the black leopard, or panther, and the snow leopard. There are a number of physical differences between the cheetah and leopard. If you are on safari, you can also use the cat's behavior to determine its species. The leopard is often found in trees where it eats, sleeps and hunts, whereas the cheetah is found on the ground.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the overall body shape of the big cat to determine whether it is a leopard or a cheetah. The leopard is closely related to the lion and tiger and has a similar catlike shape. Of the two species, the leopard has a rounder, heavier build. The cheetah is more dog-like in appearance and is built for speed. It has long legs, a slim build and a head that is small in comparison with its body.
- 2
  Determine the species of the big cat by looking at its face shape and its markings. The cheetah has a shorter, smaller muzzle than the leopard, which has a longer, broader muzzle similar to that of a lion or tiger. The cheetah also has a black stripe beginning at the inner corner of each eye that leads downward, framing either side of its muzzle. The cheetah's ears are slightly rounder than the leopard's in shape.
- 3
  Examine the animal's spots to tell if the species. The cheetah has a full body of round black spots, whereas the leopard's spots are often referred to as rose-shaped, according to National Geographic. These rose-shaped spots are easier to spot on the leopard's back where the markings are larger. Each spot is a patch of slightly darker coloration than the lighter hair, between the spots. Each patch is outlined in thick black. The black leopard appears to be completely black in coloration, although upon closer inspection the same spot patterns can be seen.

Animals & Science