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wikiHow to Tell a Cheetah and Leopard Apart

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Leopards are sometimes mistaken for cheetahs and cheetahs are sometimes mistaken for leopards. Cheetahs and leopards look similar, so this article will help you find out which is which!


  1. 1
    Look at the cat's face. Cheetahs have tear marks on their faces, which are black stripes starting from their eyes and going all the way until their mouths. Leopards don't have tear marks.
  2. 2
    Look at the cat's body. Cheetahs are narrower, while leopards are fatter.
  3. 3
    Look at the cat's tail. Cheetahs have longer, thinner tails, while leopards have shorter, fatter tails. A cheetah can make sudden, sharp turns in midair when chasing prey, so its long tail help it balance when doing so.
  4. 4
    Ask somebody. If you're in a zoo (or somewhere else with other people who know about big cats) and you've forgotten how to tell a leopard and cheetah apart, you can always ask somebody!
  5. 5
    Check again. Make sure that you are not mistaking something like a leopard who has gotten something on its face that looks like tear marks to you for a cheetah!
  6. 6
    Look at the cat's coat. Cheetahs and leopard both have spots, but a cheetah has thinner spots that are just black, while a leopard has fatter, black spots with light brown in the middle.
  7. 7
    Look at the cat's ears. A cheetah has slightly smaller ears while leopards have larger ears.
  8. 8
    Listen to the cat. Cheetahs can purr but they can't roar. Leopards can't purr but they can roar.

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  • Write down how to tell a leopard and cheetah apart and take the list with you whenever you go to a place where these animals live (e.g. zoo, safari...).


  • Look carefully! Try not to mistake a fat or pregnant cheetah for a leopard!

Article Info

Categories: Big Cats


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