Difference between leopard, cheetah, panther, puma and jaguar?

Answer:

Leopard

what-is-the-difference-between-leopards-panthers-pumas-jaguars-cheetahs

m|s

The leopard is the smallest of the four big cats, among the tigers, lions, and jaguars. Leopards are found mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, but they also exist in South Asia (India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia).

Jaguar

what-is-the-difference-between-leopards-panthers-pumas-jaguars-cheetahs

Hobbes8Calvin

The jaguar is the only big cat in the Panthera genus that can be found living in the Americas. The jaguar is the third largest cat (after tigers and lions) and they can be found in southern United States, Mexico, most of Central America, and across the north of South America.

The jaguar is often confused with the leopard due to the markings on the coat. Jaguars are, however, heavier, larger, and sturdier than leopards. Also, the rosettes on their patterning are larger, less closely packed, and usually have black dots in the centres. Jaguars also live in America, while leopards live in Asia and Africa.

The jaguar, just like the tiger, is a good swimmer. It also has a very powerful bite, more so than the other big cats. This allows jaguars to kill prey by biting through their skulls. Jaguars have short tails and legs and are quite stocky, but they are powerful and sturdy.

There is no actual species called the panther, however "panther" is a name given to either leopards or jaguars that have all black coats, due to an excess of the dark pigment melanin. They can also be referred to as melanistic leopards or melanistic jaguars.

While the coat is usually all black, sometimes the rosette markings can just be seen if you look closely (not recommended in real life!)

Panther (Jaguar)

This is a melanistic jaguar. Compared to the melanistic leopard shown in the photo above, you can tell this is a jaguar because of the large head.

This is a melanistic jaguar. Compared to the melanistic leopard shown in the photo above, you can tell this is a jaguar because of the large head.

Puma

what-is-the-difference-between-leopards-panthers-pumas-jaguars-cheetahs

Anthony Gurr

Pumas are also known as cougars, mountain lions, catamounts, and over 40 other local names. They can be found all over — from Canada all of the way down to the southern Andes of South America. The puma is in the feline family, and is native to the Americas. It is more closely related to the domestic cat than to a lion.

Cheetah

what-is-the-difference-between-leopards-panthers-pumas-jaguars-cheetahs

William Warby

The cheetah is a large-sized feline found in Africa and southwestern Asia, and is the fastest land animal in the world. They can reach speeds of around 72mph in short bursts but cannot run long distances.