1. Roaring: Both lions and leopards are capable of roaring, a deep, guttural sound produced by vibrations of the vocal cords. This ability is unique among big cats and is facilitated by the presence of a specialized vocal tract and vocal folds.
2. Mandibles: Lions and leopards have relatively short, powerful mandibles (lower jaws) compared to other cats. This jaw structure allows them to generate a strong bite force, which is essential for seizing and killing large prey.
3. Skull Structure: Lions and leopards have skulls with similar proportions and features, such as a broad braincase and prominent sagittal crests (ridges on the top of the skull). These features are associated with the powerful jaw muscles required for hunting and feeding.
4. Social Structure: Lions and leopards are known for their social behavior. Lions live in prides, with complex social hierarchies and cooperative hunting strategies. Leopards, while typically solitary, may form loose social groups or coalitions for hunting or mating purposes.
5. Spot Patterns: While the coloration and patterns of lions and leopards differ, they both have spotted coats. Lions have tawny-colored coats with short, scattered dark spots, while leopards have a yellowish or golden coat with large, rosette-shaped dark spots.
These shared characteristics indicate a close evolutionary relationship between lions and leopards, warranting their classification within the same genus, Panthera. Lions are classified as Panthera leo, while leopards are classified as Panthera pardus.