Here's a breakdown:
Leopards:
* Spots: Leopards have solid, black rosettes (spots that look like roses) with a central dot.
* Size: Medium-sized, weighing 70-200 lbs.
* Distribution: Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East.
* Habitat: Wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and mountains.
* Behavior: Excellent climbers and solitary hunters. They are known for their ability to drag heavy prey up trees.
Jaguars:
* Spots: Jaguars have larger, black rosettes that are often solid but can have a central spot. They also have black streaks called "teardrops" under their eyes.
* Size: Largest of the three, weighing 100-250 lbs.
* Distribution: Central and South America.
* Habitat: Tropical forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
* Behavior: Powerful swimmers and known for their strength. They can kill large prey like caiman.
Cheetahs:
* Spots: Cheetahs have solid, black spots that are smaller and more evenly spaced than those of leopards and jaguars. They also have black "tear streaks" under their eyes.
* Size: Smallest of the three, weighing 70-140 lbs.
* Distribution: Africa and parts of Iran.
* Habitat: Open grasslands and savannas.
* Behavior: Fastest land animal on Earth (up to 70 mph), known for their incredible speed and agility. They are primarily daytime hunters.
In short:
* Leopards have rosettes with central dots.
* Jaguars have larger rosettes with central dots and black streaks.
* Cheetahs have solid, smaller, evenly spaced spots.
Remember, there's a lot of individual variation within each species, so these are just general guidelines.