Difference Between Tiger and Leopard

April 2022 · 2 minute read

tigerTiger vs Leopard

Tiger and leopard are felines belonging to the same family and genus. Though these two big cats are similar in some characteristics, there is a huge difference between the two.

One of the striking differences between a Tiger and a leopard, one can come across, is in its outer fur. The tigers have dark vertical stripes on a white or orange background. Instead of the vertical stripes, a leopard comes with spots or rosettes in its fur. One can see a large number of small spots on a leopard’s body.

When comparing the size of the two felines, the leopard is smaller to a tiger. When a tiger weighs about 500 pounds, a leopard just weighs 140 pounds. When talking about strength, the tiger has an upper hand over the leopard. The tiger has more powerful legs and shoulders than the leopard.

When a tiger stretches 6 feet in length and has a tail length of three foot, the leopard stretches to about 6.25 feet and has a tail length of about 4.5 feet.

Unlike the tiger, a leopard is known for its climbing ability. Leopards can be often seen resting in treetops. Though these two felines are known as good swimmers, the tiger is a better swimmer when compared to a leopard.

Well, the leopard is highly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and are also seen in India, china, Indo-china and Malaysia. Tiger population is somewhat concentrated in southern and eastern Asia.

Leopard was earlier believed to be a hybrid of lion and panther. And thus the name leopard is a mix of Greek words leon (lion) and pardos (panther). Tiger is a word that has also been taken from Greek ‘Tigris’, meaning arrow (reference to a tiger’s speed).

Summary

1. The tigers have dark vertical stripes on a white or orange background. Instead of the vertical stripes, a leopard comes with spots or rosettes in its fur.

2. When a tiger weighs about 500 pounds, a leopard just weighs 140 pounds.

3. A leopard is known for its climbing ability.

4. Tiger is a better swimmer when compared to a leopard.

5. When comparing the strength, the tiger has an upper hand over the leopard. The tiger has more powerful legs and shoulders.

6. Leopard is a mix of Greek words leon (lion) and pardos (panther). On the other hand, Tiger is a word that has also been taken from Greek ‘Tigris’, meaning arrow (reference to a tiger’s speed).


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