Instructions
Observe and identify the patterning on the animal. Tigers tend to have black vertical streaks on top of cream or orange fur, giving them a very distinctive appearance. Leopards tend to have spots on their fur.
Observe and identify the size of the animal. Tigers tend to be much bigger, with noticeable muscle and bulk, especially on their legs and shoulders. On average, tigers weight around 500 pounds, whereas leopards average 140 pounds.
Leopards are renowned for their climbing ability and their agility within their environments. Because they weigh less, they can bound over treacherous terrain and change direction much more easily than tigers can. Leopards also can easily climb trees, which tigers rarely do. Tigers are better swimmers.
Tigers and leopards both live in India and Asia. However, leopards also live in sub-Saharan Africa.
How Do I Know If I Have a Tiger or Leopard?
Tigers and leopards are both members of the cat family. There are many similarities between the two animals in their appearance, the way they hunt, and how they breed and nurture their young. However, some clear differences enable anyone to distinguish between them. Here are some of the main ways tigers and leopards differ.