Is that a leopard or a jaguar? These copycats are both big cats with a brown coat and black spots. But you can tell them apart when you know their biggest differences!
The cats seen ‘round the world
You’ll never see a leopard and a jaguar together in the wild. They live on different continents! Most leopards live on the African savanna, but some are found in parts of Asia. Meanwhile, jaguars can be found in the jungles of Central American and South America. That’s on the other side of the world!
Strength or agility?
When it comes to physicality, leopards are agile but jaguars are strong. Leopards have lean bodies with long tails and legs. Jaguars are heavier and stockier, with shorter tails and legs. Jaguars also have stronger jaws - they can bite through a crocodile hide!
Spot the difference
Leopards and jaguars are both covered in black spots that seem similar from afar. But the biggest spots on their bodies have two key differences. Leopards have small spots that are tightly packed across their body. Jaguars’ spots are more oval and loose, with more space between each spot. If you need an extra clue, check the space inside the spots. Jaguars have tiny black dots inside most of their spots, but leopards don’t!
Hear me roar
Like other big cats, both leopards and jaguars can roar thanks to the U-shaped bone in their throats. But their roars are definitely different! A leopard’s roar might remind you of a saw cutting through a tree trunk. When jaguars roar, they sound like they’re coughing deep in their chests.
Leopards and jaguars definitely aren’t identical, but they both wow me with their amazing abilities! Which copycat is your favorite? Click the blue button below to vote! 👓