Category Secrets of the Wild

      Expect that they both belong to the same family, and that they both are called leopards, there is hardly any resemblance and close relation between a snow leopard and a clouded leopard.

      While both of them are found in parts of Asia, they live in diverse conditions. Mountains areas are the natural habitat of snow leopards. In order to fight the extreme cold, snow leopards grow long fur. Their fur is dark silver in colour with black markings. They move to the lower ground in order to keep warm. In summer, they rest in the shade. They have flat paws, which are designed to carry the weight of their bodies. This helps the leopard to stay steady while walking on snow.

      On the other hand, clouded leopards are mid-sized. They have very long canine teeth, which are only slightly smaller than a lion’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures credit: Google

      Unlike other members of the feline family, snow leopards live as their name suggests, in the snow. They can with stand extreme conditions in the cold, barren mountains of Central and South Asia.

      Snow leopards are found in the entire Himalayan mountain system, as well as areas in Bhutan, Nepal and the Siberian region of Russia. No other cats can live in such heights.

      A snow leopard has the longest tail among the big cats. It reaches up to one metre in length. It helps them to balance when they chase their prey. Another interesting fact about their tail is that they wrap it around their necks like a scarf while they are resting in the extreme cold weather. Since they have to roam about in barren, snow-laden lands where food is scarce, they are sometimes referred to as the ‘ghosts of the mountains’.

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      Jaguars and leopards have differing styles and body language when it comes to finding their meal, or protecting themselves. A jaguar will bravely defend itself if it is confronted by another, bigger, attacking animal.

      However, a leopard tends to be shy and will try avoiding confrontation. If a lion or hyena comes in its way, jaguars, in all probability, will stand their ground. They will attack even if the opponent is an anaconda or a large caiman. Jaguars are good swimmers too. They will spend a lot of time in water, if they find a convenient water body.

      Leopards, on the other hand, are more athletic. They can swiftly climb up to tree, and get hold of an impala for a meal. While jaguars love water, leopards will try to avoid it, although they can swim well.

Picture Credit : Google

 

      Which is the fiercest animal? We might consider a tiger or a lion due to its size. However, in reality, jaguars have the strongest jaws in the cat family. They can break the skull of their prey with amazing force and strength.

      With their strong teeth, jaguars are able to pierce the shells of a turtle and crunch the bones of other animals with ease. Between a lion and a jaguar, the latter’s bite is twice as strong as that of the former. Only one animal is stronger than the jaguar in this aspect the hyena!

      The way the jaw muscles are arranged in jaguar’s mouth is the reason for the strength of its bites. Other cats do not have such powerfully packed muscles and that gives an edge to the jaguar. With such strong jaws, the cat can bite through the skulls of any animal with ease and pierce the thick hide of a crocodile or a caiman.

Picture Credit : Google

 

      Although the jaguar and leopard look very similar to each other, they are two different animals. Both cats are spotted; however, if we examine them carefully, we can understand that the way the spots are arranged varies. A close look will reveal that the ring of spots of the jaguar, known as rosettes, have another spot inside.

      However, leopards do not have these. While the jaguar’s tail is shorter, the leopard’s is longer. There is a difference in size too. While both animals are smaller than lions and tigers, a jaguar is slightly larger in South America. Leopards are aplenty in Africa and Asia.

 

      It is not very common to see a fight between the two biggest cats. Moreover, in such an event, who is likely to win is dependent several factors. In terms of size, bite force, brain size and intelligence, the tiger is superior to the lion. Therefore, on paper, it is highly likely that the tiger wins. The teeth of a tiger are exceptionally strong and are the longest among all animals. Therefore, its bite force is higher than a lion’s.

      Tiger are heavier than lions and can beat them in power. The social nature of lions is another factor. Lions hunt in prides and may not be a force to reckon with when alone. It needs the support of the other members of its pride. The group mentality might work to the advantage of the tiger, which is a solitary animal. It needs no help to hunt and take care of its well-being. Therefore, the tiger is better equipped to take on the lion.

      However, on a given day, anything may happen. Better fighting skills may work in favour of the lion and it may beat the tiger after a tough duel.

Picture Credit : Google