Cheetah vs Leopard: What’s the difference between these African big cats?

Would you be able to tell the difference between cheetah and leopard on a safari in Africa? Telling these African big cats apart in the bush is particularly difficult if you are new to African safaris. Luckily, there are a few tell-tale signs to take your African cat identification to the next level! 

The following distinct differences between cheetahs and leopards will help you tell them apart:

• Build and body size of these big cats
• Eyes of the leopard and cheetah
• Cheetah Spots vs Leopard Spots
• Habits & habitats of these African big cats
• Speed: Who is faster - cheetah or leopard? 
• Who would win a fight: cheetah vs leopard? 
• In fashion: leopard print vs cheetah print
• Leopard vs cheetah: video

Cheetah vs Leopard: Size and Build

The first major difference between cheetahs and leopards is their build. Cheetahs are tall and slender, whilst leopards are short and stocky. 

Leopards are heavier and bulkier. They are powerful tree-climbing big cats with shorter legs and bigger heads.

Leopard in Masai Mara, Kenya Safari by Elsie Lin

Cheetahs are slinkier, more lightweight African cats than leopards. Their build is suited to sprinting after prey at high speeds. They have smaller heads and longer legs than leopards. 

Cheetahs in Masai Mara, Kenya

Cheetah vs Leopard: Eyes

The easiest way to tell the difference between cheetah and leopard is to look at their eyes. Cheetahs have black lines running down their faces. These “tear lines” start from the cheetah’s inner eyes and run right down to its mouth. Leopards do not have these lines. This is the most visually striking difference between cheetah and leopard. 

Lines on cheetah face by Piet Bakker

Cheetahs' eyes tend to be more amber in colour whilst leapards' eyes are more green. Leopards also have slightly larger eyes and pupils, an adaptation for nocturnal hunting, while cheetahs usually hunt during the day and thus have smaller eyes and pupils. 

Leopard eyes, African big cats by Ahmed Galal

---

Getting up close to these African big cats enables you to fully appreciate their feline features. A big cat safari in Kenya is the perfect opportunity to practice your cheetah vs leopard identification techniques in the bush. 

From $1127 per person sharing, big cat enthusiasts can enjoy a budget Kenya Safari in Masai Mara. Leopards and cheetahs are regularly sighted on this scenic 4-day Masai Mara Safari that is perfect for travellers with limited time and budget.

Leopard vs Cheetah Spots

Another key difference between cheetah and leopard has to do with the markings. Cheetah spots are solid round, or oval-shaped. Leopard spots are irregular-shaped markings, grouped in circles to create rosette (rose-like) markings. These have a blotched black outline and a rich brown colour in the centre.

Cheetah spots, different to leopards by Shiku Wangombe

Cheetah spots are often solid with smaller spots scattered amongst bigger spots. Their coats sometimes appear dappled due to the smudged spots of different sizes. Leopard spots are often more prominent on their faces, especially on their muzzles compared to scarce cheetah spots.

Leopards have rose-like markings by Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi

Both African big cats are well-camouflaged in the African bush. For the best chance of seeing one of these predators, consider visiting a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger Park of South Africa. On an African budget safari, travellers can enjoy a small group private tour at an affordable price. Our exclusive tented safari in Sabi Sands includes 4x4 game drives with an experienced guide who knows the favourite hiding spots of cheetahs and leopards.

Cheetah vs Leopard: Habits and Habitats

Leopards are creatures of the night. They prefer to hunt in the dark and rest during the day. Cheetahs keep the opposite schedule, although they have also been known to hunt by moonlight. Both leopards and cheetahs know how to keep a low profile, making it extremely special to have a big cat sighting.

Leopard in a tree, not cheetah by Flowcomm

An expert wildlife tracker, like those accompanying the guides on our 7-day Budget Botswana Safari, will always remind you to keep an eye on the trees. This is where you’ll find leopards during the day. Cheetahs prefer large open spaces, such as grasslands and savannas. These habitats are ideal for cheetahs to hunt prey at top speeds. During the exclusive Botswana Safari, you explore a variety of African habitats with expert trackers, immersed in unspoiled scenery.

Botswana safari cheetah running

Cheetah vs Leopard Speed: Who is faster? 

One of the most significant differences between the African big cats is in the ways they move. Let’s compare the speed of cheetahs and leopards for a start.

Cheetahs can run at a speed of 110-120 km/hour (that's up to 75 miles per hour), accelerating from 0 to 64 mph in three seconds.

Cheetahs are built for speed. Their back feet are larger than their front feet to help them accelerate and their long tails are flatter than leopards to help them maintain balance at high speeds. Cheetahs also have a larger nasal cavity for rapid breathing. Interestingly, they can’t hold their top speed for long because it might cause their brains to overheat.

Cheetahs can run up to 74 mph by Sammy Wong

Now, how fast is a leopard? Leopards can run at speeds of 50-60 km/hour (about 31 to 37 mi/hr). As you can see, it just wouldn’t be a fair race. Cheetahs are about twice as fast as leopards!

But, the cheetah loses its superiority when we start talking about climbing. Leopards have larger front feet than back feet to help them climb with a freshly killed meal. Their tails are also more round to help them balance as they climb. When it comes to power and agility, cheetahs can’t compete.

Leopard in a tree, African big cat by elCarito

If tracking African big cats is on your bucket list, consider a 4-day Namibia Safari where you get to track wild cheetahs at a conservation centre. This comfortable budget African safari includes a variety of accommodation options, such as fully serviced glamping, guesthouse, or B&B options. 

Cheetah vs Leopard: Who would win a fight?

It would serve the cheetah better to choose flight over fight. Leopards might be smaller but they are more powerful. The leopard has a muscular build that gives it a strength advantage over the small, slender cheetah. A leopard also has powerful teeth and jaws and sharp claws that add to its dominance.

Sometimes people ask us if leopards eat cheetahs. The answer is no, not usually. Leopards will seldom prey on cheetahs but on rare occasions, they may hunt cheetah cubs. Cheetahs can typically outrun leopards in cases where they try to attack. Similarly, you may be asking, do cheetahs eat leopards? No, not usually. Cheetahs rarely prey on leopards but have been known to kill leopard cubs on rare occasions. Adult leopards are better fighters than cheetahs so the latter seldom attacks the former. In both cases, these African big cats may attack each other on rare occasions or kill each other's cubs, but it is very seldom that they eat each other.

Spot the difference between cheetahs and leopards

Last, quick recap:

Cheetahs (note the slender build, tear lines, cheetah spots and habitat)

Cheetahs in Masai Mara, Kenya

Leopards (note the bulky build, facial spots, and absence of tear lines)

Leopards, Sabi Sands South Africa

Ready to test your new skills? Take a quick look at these images to see if you can tell the difference between these two African big cats.

Cheetah or Leopard? (you can do it!)

Cheetahs or Leopard? Cats of Africa

Cheetah vs Leopard, Kruger safari

Leopard or cheetah on safari in Africa? by Bob Brewer

African big cats: Cheetah or leopard?

Chobe leopard, Botswana safari

In Fashion: Cheetah Print vs Leopard Print

Do a spot check; solid round for cheetah spots and rosette markings for leopard. 

Leopard print is a top choice for many fashion designers because of its bold and timeless appeal. What does leopard print look like? It has a warm, golden tan colour while a cheetah print has a cooler, lighter tone. For a more elegant and sleek look, you can’t go wrong with a cheetah print. 

Now, while animal prints are a closet staple for most people, it is probably best not to wear them when you go on safari in Africa. In fact, there was a safari park that tried to have animal print banned because rangers believed it scared and confused the animals. 

Leopard vs cheetah: video

Ready to book your budget African safari to see big cats? 

Now that you know the differences between cheetah vs leopard, it's time to book your dream African safari and see them in the flesh! Get in touch with our team of travel experts at African Budget Safaris to find out more.

[Blog post first published on 15 July 2022 | Updated on 10 July 2023 by Molebatsi Manzi and 21 December 2023 by Landia Davies]

Pilanesberg safari leopard