What is the difference between a leopard and a cheetah?

Brainyblonde

Leopards have rosette-shaped spots. Cheetah have solid round, or oval, spots. Leopards have no "tear" line. Cheetah have a black "tear" line running from the inside of the eye to the mouth. Leopard are bulkier and stronger. Cheetah are lighter, but taller, than leopard. Leopard have a familiar "cat" shape. Cheetah are lankier than the "cat" shape. Leopard hunt at night. Cheetah hunt during the day. Leopard like to drag prey up trees. Cheetah prefer grassy plains. Leopard rely on stealth. Cheetah rely on speed (up to 115km/hr) over short distances. They are the world's fastest animal. Leopard have strong teeth and jaws and can crunch through thick bones. Cheetah have smaller teeth and jaws, leaving a larger nasal cavity for rapid breathing. They cannot crunch large bones. Leopard walk using their legs diagonally (left front, back right etc). Cheetah pace: they walk moving two left legs, then two right legs. http://www.shaunakelly.com/travel/africa2001/okonjimacats/okonjimacats.html#Differences The fastest mammal on land is the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). When measured over a short distance the cheetah can maintain a steady maximum speed of approximately 100km/h (62 mph) on level ground. http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=51166 Apr 11 06, 11:22 AM

What-A-Mess

"The cheetah (derived from Sanskrit word Chitraka meaning "Speckled") (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family (Felidae), a poor climber that hunts by speed rather than by stealth. As such, it is placed in its own genus, Acinonyx. It is the fastest of all land animals and although its fastest speed is unknown, it can reach speeds of more than 105 km/h (65 mph) in short bursts up to 460 metres (500 yards), as well as being able to accelerate from 0 to 110 km/h (≈70 mph) in three seconds, faster than most supercars." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah Mar 29 07, 11:48 PM

Catlover7

Leopards are bigger, stronger, slower, have rosettes instead of spots and can climb trees! http://www.ofcats.com/2008/04/leopard-facts.html Aug 19 08, 9:39 AM

KnightShadows

"When measured over a short distance the cheetah can maintain a steady maximum speed of approximately 100km/h (62 mph) on level ground. " So then, I guess this means the best way to tell them apart would be, if you are standing a football field away from him when he charges, if you are still alive after 1.0972 seconds, then it's a leopard. Dec 13 12, 11:42 PM