What is a Jaguar?
The Jaguar (Panthera Onca) is a wild cat specie that is the only extant member of the genus Panthera native to the Americas, especially countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Paraguay.
The Jaguar is the third-largest feline after the Tigers and Lions and the largest in the Americas. Jaguars are also cats that can swim well. They also have short tails as they do not dwell on the trees.
The Jaguars’ skin coat is a tawny yellow but can range to reddish-brown, black, and white. The spots on the coat are black and can either be small dots or large swirls. The jaguar is a “lone-wolf” creature type, and it is most active during the night.
They also have much more robust bodies, with shorter legs and thicker tails. They are excellent swimmers, and they also enjoy cooling off in rivers.
Jaguars are one of the most feared killers in the jungle and are known for their powerful jaws and sharp claws.
What is a Leopard?
The Leopard (Panthera Pardus) is one of the five species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae. Leopards are seen in a wide range of sub-Saharan Africa and some parts of Asia. Leopards however live across all nations in the world.
Leopards are native to Africa and Asia and are apex predators in their habitats. The Leopard is characterized by its spotted coat, which is why it is also known as the “panther.”
Leopards are powerful and agile hunters that feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Leopards have the ability to run at speeds of up to 36 miles per hour – that’s not slow I suppose.
They also have rosette-patterned skin like Jaguars; only that they have tiny round spots.
The Leopard is an opportunistic hunter and will only prey on an animal that it can catch. This can be traced to its relatively-small body and its strength.
Difference Between Jaguar and Leopard
- Jaguars are found on American soils, and they have historically occurred as far North as California while Leopards are found in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
- The head shape differs between the two cats as a Jaguar has a much broader and wider jaw compared to that of a Leopard.
- Jaguars have a larger stomach that makes them look like they are pregnant or well-fed compared to that of Leopards, as they have slightly-built stomachs.
- Jaguars also have a shorter and stockier build than Leopards.
- Jaguars do weigh more than Leopards, as the average weight of a female Jaguar is between 85kg and 90kg (110kg to 120kg for male Jaguars), while female Leopards weigh between 20kg and 60kg (40kg to 80kg).
- Rosettes- Jaguars tend to have larger rosettes with spots in the middle, while Leopards have plan rosettes with no spots in the middle.
- Jaguars have shorter tails compared to that Leopards. This is dependent on how well they stay on trees.
- Jaguars live up to 13-15 years, and Leopards have a 12-15 (up to 17 as research says) years life expectancy in the wild.
- Jaguars are stronger compared to Leopards, as they deliver up to 2000 pounds of force.
Comparison Between Jaguar and Leopard
| Parameter of Comparison | Jaguar | Leopard |
| Distribution | Found in the Americas. | Found in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. |
| Rosettes | Large rosettes with spots at the center. | Small rosettes with no spots at the center. |
| Life Expectancy | 13-15 years. | 12-15 years. |
| Tail Lengths | Short length. | Long length. |
| Body | Stocky and big. | Leopards have lean bodies. |