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Both cats can be found across Africa, the Arabian 

Peninsula and southern Asia, and when encountered, 

both really just look like a scary mass of spots and 

teeth. When viewed from a safe vantage point, 

though, there are a number of physical and behavioral 

characteristics that set them apart.

Leopards have more complex spotting 

pattern of clusters of black and brown 

spots which look like roses, called 

rosettes. This pattern simulates 

shifting plants and shadows, providing 

camoflage as the leopards stalk their 

prey from tall grass and underbrush. 

Leopards in eastern Africa have circular 

rosettes, while their southern African 

brethren have square rosettes. Leopards 

are also noticeably bulkier looking than 

cheetahs. They're not built for speed, 

but surprise attacks. The extra strength 

helps leopards drag their prey up trees, 

where hide the kill to feed on at their 

leisure. Leopards walk using their legs 

in diagonal pairs (i.e. left front and 

right back leg, then right front and 

left back leg). Like the rest of the big 

cats, leopards can roar but can't purr 

except while they're exhaling.

Cheetahs have solid black round/oval spots and black "tear 

lines" that run from the corner of their eyes down the sides of 

their nose to their mouth (the lines keep sunlight out of the 

cheetahs' eyes while hunting). They're also lankier than rest of 

the big cats and have smaller jaws and longer tails. They hunt 

during the day and rely on bursts of speed (up to 75mph over 

short distances). When walking and running, they pace, moving 

their two left legs and then their two right legs. Unlike leopards 

and other big cats, they can purr while they inhale, but can't 

roar.

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