Differences between Cheetah, Leopard, Lion & Tiger

New mammals in town! As part of the reintroduction of the animal in India, the second batch of 12 South African cheetahs is ready to disembark in India on February 18. Earlier, eight cheetahs had been brought to India from South Africa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released these cheetahs in the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Of 8 cheetahs, 5 were females and 3 were males.

Are you confused between Cheetah and Leopards, or do you find them similar? Well, cheetah, lion, tiger, and leopards all belong to the cat family, but they have different eating habits, hunting styles, physical appearance, and more. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or simply curious about the natural world, this article will give you a deeper understanding of the unique traits that make each of these big cats so fascinating.

The list of differences between cheetahs, lions, tigers and leopards is as follows:

Cheetah

Status: Vulnerable

Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is a large feline native to Africa and central Iran. It owes its name to the Hindi word “cheetah” which means spots. Popular as the fastest land animal, it is capable of running at a speed of 80 to 128 km/h. The physical characteristics of a cheetah include a light body, long slender legs, and a long tail. Some interesting facts about the cheetah are:

• At full speed, the cheetah takes three strides per second, traveling seven meters per stride. The reason cheetahs are always tired is that they only spend 12% of the day working.
• Cheetahs can accelerate faster than most sports cars. Their body is designed so that every part supports movement, as if the claws function like cleats on football boots to provide extra grip when running, while their long, muscular tail acts as a rudder, helping them make sharp turns.
• The spot patterns are unique to each cat and also help provide camouflage while hunting. However, not all cheetahs are sighted.
• Cheetahs, a sacred symbol of royalty, have a great social life. The male members of the group form a coalition, while the females raise their cubs alone.
• The big cat hunts mainly during the day and does not roar, but growls, chirps, hisses and purrs.

Lion

Conservation status: vulnerable

Scientific name: Panthera Leo

The lion is a large feline of the genus Panthera, with a muscular body and broad chest, short and rounded head, round ears and a tuft of hair at the end of the tail. Considered the most dangerous animal in the forest, lions are powerful at hunting any large animal, such as buffalo. Lions can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 250 kilograms. Other lists of facts about lions that are also lions are:

• Lions are born with spots, which then disappear as they grow older.
• Male lions grow men to impress lionesses. These manes also protect lions from head and neck injuries.
• Lions are very adaptable and can also live in deserts, and they can satisfy their water needs with their prey and plants.
• The biggest fan of forest food can digest up to 40 kilograms of meat.
• Lions hunt most of the day and also hunt more during storms, as the wind makes it difficult for prey to see and hear them.
• The entire big cat family roared together and the calling sequence lasts 40 seconds.

leopards

Conservation status: not extinct

Scientific name: Panthera pardus

The leopard, compared to the cheetahs, is more powerful. It is one of the five extant species of the Felidae family. These predominantly solitary animals have large territories, with a maximum length of 6.2 feet, and can run at speeds of 58 kilometers per hour. These minimal-sized nocturnal hunters fear being attacked by lions and tigers. Read below to know more about leopards:

• Leopard spots are called “rosettes” because their shape is similar to that of a rose. There are also black leopards, whose spots are difficult to see due to their dark colors.
• Leopards have their territory and leave scratches on trees, urine scent marks and droppings to warn other leopards.
• Every cat has a different taste bud. They eat insects, fish, antelope, monkeys, rodents, deer or any other available prey.
• Leopards are skilled climbers and like to rest on tree branches; In addition, these strong beasts can carry their heavy prey to the trees so that other animals do not disturb them.
• Female leopards can reproduce at any time of the year. In addition, each time they give birth to two or three cubs.
• Leopards have different calls for each moment. To alert another leopard of his presence, he coughs hoarsely and hoarsely. They growl when they are angry and purr like a house cat when they are happy.

Tiger

Conservation status: endangered

Scientific name: Panthera tigris

The tiger is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus Panthera. It is most famous for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it feeds primarily on hoofed mammals such as deer and wild boar. A list of lovely facts about the national animal of India is as follows:

• The subspecies of tigers available in India are the Bengal tiger, South China tiger, Indochinese tiger, Sumatran tiger and Amur tiger.
• Tigers are solitary hunters who forage for food alone at night. They basically feed on large animals.
• Tigers are good swimmers, unlike most members of the cat family. They spend most of their time in pools or streams.
• A tiger’s roar can be heard at a distance of up to three kilometers, with a running speed of 65 kilometers per hour.
• These ferocious cats are stronger than any other animal. For example, 2 million-year-old tiger fossils were found in some parts of China.
• Tigers are the most unique animal in the world. Since no two tigers have the same stripes, they have their own pattern on their fur.

All Namibian cheetahs Freddie, Elton and Oban, while females Siyaya, Aasha, Tbilisi, Sasha and Savannah are in quarantine. The purring cats have begun to adjust to their new home and also seem stress-free from the proximity of humans.

According to the latest news, two elephants, Lakshmi and Siddhanath, are brought from the Satpura Tiger Reserve to protect the cheetahs from attacks by leopards and other competitive predators. India can expect around 35 more spotted cats in the next few years!

In short, although lions, tigers, cheetahs, and leopards belong to the same big cat family, they differ in several ways, including size, appearance, behavior, and habitat. Understanding these differences can help us better appreciate and conserve these magnificent animals. It is important to remember that all of these species are endangered or vulnerable, and serious efforts must be made to protect them and their natural habitats. By working together, we can ensure that these big cats continue to roam our planet for generations to come.

Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: ptivs2.edu.vn