Cheetah vs. Leopard — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
Cheetahs have slender bodies and tear marks from eyes to mouth, while leopards are stockier with rosette patterns on their coat.
Difference Between Cheetah and Leopard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cheetahs are known for their remarkable speed and are considered the fastest land animals, clocking speeds up to 60-70 mph. Leopards, on the other hand, are not as swift but are powerful predators known for their stealth and strength. A distinct feature of cheetahs is the black "tear marks" that run from the inner corners of their eyes down to the sides of their mouth; these help reflect the sun and focus better on prey. Leopards lack these marks and instead sport a beautiful coat covered in rosettes, which are unique to each individual, much like human fingerprints. While cheetahs prefer to hunt during the day using their speed in open grasslands, leopards are more versatile predators, hunting primarily at night and being adept climbers, often storing their kills in trees. When it comes to habitat, cheetahs are mainly found in Africa with a small population in Iran, preferring open plains. Leopards have a wider distribution, found in parts of Africa and Asia, and inhabit a variety of environments from forests to grasslands.
Comparison Chart
Body Build
Slender and built for speed
Stockier, powerful, and stealthy
Markings
Tear marks from eyes to mouth
Rosette patterns on coat
Hunting Time
Primarily diurnal (daytime)
Primarily nocturnal (nighttime)
Speed
Can reach 60-70 mph
Not as fast but more powerful
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Distribution
Mainly in Africa with some in Iran
Parts of Africa and Asia in varied habitats
Compare with Definitions
Cheetah
A large cat with distinctive black tear marks on its face.
The cheetah's tear marks are believed to help focus on prey and reduce glare.
Leopard
A large cat known for its rosette-patterned coat.
Each leopard's coat pattern is unique, much like human fingerprints.
Cheetah
A cat that relies on speed rather than stealth to catch prey.
The cheetah's slender body is adapted for rapid acceleration.
Leopard
A powerful and stealthy predator, often hunting at night.
The leopard silently stalked its prey under the cover of darkness.
Cheetah
The fastest land animal capable of incredible sprinting speeds.
The cheetah chased down its prey in a matter of seconds.
Leopard
A skilled climber, often storing kills in trees to avoid scavengers.
After making a kill, the leopard dragged its prey up a tree.
Cheetah
An animal predominantly found in African open plains.
The cheetah relies on tall grasses for camouflage during hunts.
Leopard
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the cat family, Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in some parts of Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, and on the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia.
Cheetah
A vulnerable species with declining populations.
Conservation efforts are crucial to prevent the cheetah from becoming endangered.
Leopard
A large wild cat (Panthera pardus) of Africa and southern Asia, having either tawny fur with dark rosettelike markings or black fur.
Cheetah
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph) with the fastest reliably recorded speeds being 93 and 98 km/h (58 and 61 mph), and as such has several adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail.
Leopard
Any of several similar felines, such as the cheetah or the snow leopard.
Cheetah
A long-legged, swift-running wild cat (Acinonyx jubatus) of Africa and southwest Asia, having tawny, black-spotted fur and nonretractile claws. The cheetah, the fastest animal on land, can run for short distances at about 96 kilometers (60 miles) per hour.
Leopard
(Heraldry) A lion in side view, having one forepaw raised and the head facing the observer.
Cheetah
A distinctive member (Acinonyx jubatus) of the cat family, slightly smaller than the leopard, but with proportionately longer limbs and a smaller head; native to Africa and southeast Asia (where it is nearly extinct) and also credited with being the fastest terrestrial animal.
Leopard
Panthera pardus, a large wild cat with a spotted coat native to Africa and Asia, especially the male of the species (in contrast to leopardess).
Cheetah
A species of leopard (Cynælurus jubatus) tamed and used for hunting in India. The woolly cheetah of South Africa is Cynælurus laneus. It runs very fast in short spurts while hunting.
Leopard
(inexact) A similar-looking, large wild cat named after the leopard.
Cheetah
Long-legged spotted cat of Africa and southwestern Asia having nonretractile claws; the swiftest mammal; can be trained to run down game
Leopard
The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a large wild cat native to Asia.
Leopard
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), a large wild cat native to Asia.
Leopard
(heraldry) A lion passant guardant.
Leopard
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Phalanta, having black markings on an orange base.
Leopard
A large, savage, carnivorous mammal (Felis leopardus). It is of a yellow or fawn color, with rings or roselike clusters of black spots along the back and sides. It is found in Southern Asia and Africa. By some the panther (Felis pardus) is regarded as a variety of leopard.
Leopard
The pelt of a leopard
Leopard
Large feline of African and Asian forests usually having a tawny coat with black spots
Leopard
An animal that can inhabit various environments from forests to grasslands.
The leopard's adaptability has enabled it to survive in diverse habitats.
Leopard
A species found in parts of both Africa and Asia.
Unlike cheetahs, leopards have a wider geographic distribution.
Common Curiosities
Why do leopards store their kills in trees?
Leopards store kills in trees to prevent them from being stolen by other predators.
Are cheetahs and leopards from the same family?
Yes, both cheetahs and leopards belong to the Felidae family.
Which is faster, a cheetah or a leopard?
The cheetah is faster, being the fastest land animal.
Are cheetahs endangered?
Cheetahs are considered vulnerable with declining populations.
How are the coat patterns different between a cheetah and a leopard?
Cheetahs have solid black spots, while leopards have rosette patterns.
Can leopards climb trees?
Yes, leopards are excellent climbers and often rest or store food in trees.
Do cheetahs and leopards get along?
Typically not; they can be competitive with each other, especially for food or territory.
Do leopards and cheetahs live in the same habitat?
While their habitats can overlap, cheetahs prefer open plains, while leopards can live in diverse environments.
Can cheetahs climb trees like leopards?
Cheetahs are not as adept climbers as leopards and generally stay on the ground.
Are the hunting techniques of cheetahs and leopards different?
Yes, cheetahs rely on speed in open terrains, while leopards use stealth and strength, often in denser habitats.
Why do cheetahs have tear marks on their faces?
The tear marks help reduce glare and improve focus on prey.
Which is heavier, a cheetah or a leopard?
Leopards are generally heavier and more powerfully built than cheetahs.
Are there cheetahs in Asia?
There's a small population of cheetahs in Iran, but they're predominantly in Africa.
How do leopards and cheetahs mark their territories?
Both use scent marking, but leopards also use scratch marks on trees.
Are there black leopards and cheetahs?
Black leopards, often called "panthers", exist due to melanism. There are no known black cheetahs.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
