{"id":8926,"date":"2019-12-09T13:47:35","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T13:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/the-difference-between-leopard-cheetah-and-jaguar-explained\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T09:52:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T09:52:14","slug":"difference-leopard-cheetah-jaguar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/south-africa\/travel-guide\/difference-leopard-cheetah-jaguar\/","title":{"rendered":"The difference between leopard, cheetah and jaguar explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the wild, it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish a leopard from a cheetah or jaguar. Felines are impressive animals, and each species has its own characteristics… In this article, we’ll explain the main differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus on felines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A short while ago, I introduced you to the king of felines, the white lion. Today, I’d like to meet the leopard, the cheetah and the jaguar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people confuse the leopard with the cheetah, the jaguar with the leopard, the cheetah with the jaguar… although these three felines each have black spotted coats, their similarities end there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first trips created by South African Travellers<\/a> for our families, friends and customers, were mainly centered on safaris in the Kruger National Park, we wanted to share our love for the animals that lived there. Since then, we’ve grown, expanded our destinations and now offer tailor-made trips throughout Southern Africa, as well as themed tours such as Golf and Safari in South Africa<\/a> and motorcycle tours<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you tell a leopard from a cheetah or jaguar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The leopard (Panthera pardus)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The leopard<\/a>, also known as the panther, is more massive than the cheetah, weighing around 60kg (10kg more than the cheetah). It has a long, muscular body, wide legs and retractile claws. Thanks to its particularly well-developed pectoral muscles, this feline is an excellent climber, often taking refuge in trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has the particularity of hoisting its prey onto the fork of a tree to put them out of reach of other predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its entire coat is marked by black spots that overlap to form rosettes (empty spaces inside).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The leopard roars like a lion while the cheetah meows!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some leopards have black coats due to a pigment anomaly, known as black panthers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The cheetah<\/a>, more commonly known as cheetah in South Africa, is a large carnivorous mammal that lives exclusively in Southern Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cheetah’s appearance is slender, with long, slender legs and a slender, muscular body of incredible power. Its thin, cat-like head is marked by two tear-like black lines running from the corner of the eyes to the mouth. Its claws are non-retractable, giving it better grip on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheetahs hunt in broad daylight, in the morning or late afternoon when the heat dies down. Its prey are small to medium-sized animals such as gazelles, warthogs and hares. It is a solitary predator whose technique is sprinting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known as the fastest land animal, it can reach speeds of 110km\/h, unlike the leopard (60km\/h) and the jaguar (50km\/h). Its long tail helps it keep its balance when cornering at over 100km\/h.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its golden coat is entirely speckled with black spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cheetah’s call is a cat-like meow, so it’s easily recognizable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheetahs were once used and trained as hunting assistants by kings. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The jaguar (Panthera onca)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The jaguar<\/a>, another big cat in the leopard family, lives in Central and South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between the jaguar and the leopard lies in its larger size and more massive appearance. The average weight of a jaguar reaches 100kg. Its impressive jaw is the most powerful in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its coat is strewn with rosettes containing small black dots, which differentiates it from the leopard, whose rosettes are empty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jaguar is a carnivore with excellent hunting instincts. It feeds on deer, caiman, fish and turtles, but its favorite prey is the cabiai (the largest rodent, measuring around 1m and weighing over 50kg).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jaguar is also very adept at hunting in water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jaguar roars, its cry echoing through the tropical forests. He can also growl, scold, meow… but he’s pretty quiet and can go days without making a sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jaguar’s hunting technique is unknown to other felines, with a discreet approach and a brief attack, biting its prey at the nape of the neck to break the spinal column. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Travel to Africa with us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why not take a closer look at leopards and cheetahs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South African Travellers<\/a>, a local French-speaking travel agency based in Cape Town, specializing in tailor-made trips to Southern Africa, will be delighted to create the trip of your dreams to meet the big cats, so don’t hesitate, contact us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See you soon,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irina.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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