To me, cheetahs and leopards are two of the most charismatic big cats in Kenya. Two have a similar characteristic appearance, ie, spots on a yellow coat, but their roles in the country’s diverse ecosystems are unique.
Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are famous for their incredible speed. They are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 60-70 miles per hour in short sprints. They have distinctive black “tear tracks” running from their eyes down to their mouth. Cheetahs have a solid round or oval spot shape, clearly separated from the other spots on their body coats. Cheetahs primarily inhabit open grasslands and savannas in Kenya, where their incredible speed helps them chase down prey like gazelles. Unlike leopards, cheetahs are not great climbers and prefer to keep their kills on the ground.
Leopards (Panthera pardus) are bulkier and more robust than cheetahs. They are skilled climbers and are often found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, forests, and mountains. Leopards have a beautiful golden coat covered in rosette-shaped spots (spots that are grouped together in circles, resembling the ancient coins) that provide excellent camouflage. They are capable of taking down a wide range of prey, from small mammals to larger ungulates. Leopards are known for their ability to hoist their kills into trees to protect them from scavengers.
These two types of big cats are beautiful and lonely. They are mysterious and awe.
对我来说，在肯尼亚，猎豹和金钱豹是两种最具魅力的大型猫科动物。 两者具有相似的特征外观，即在黄色皮毛上都有斑点，但它们在该国多样化生态系统中各有其独特的作用。
猎豹（Acinonyx jubatus) 奔跑速度高到令人难以置信。 它们是最快的陆地动物，能够在短距离冲刺中达到每小时 60-70 英里的速度。 它们有独有的黑色“泪痕”，从眼睛一直延伸到嘴巴。 猎豹有实心的圆形或椭圆形斑点，与身体上的其他斑点明显分开。 猎豹主要栖息在肯尼亚的开阔草原和稀树草原上，它们极高的的速度帮助它们追捕瞪羚等猎物。 与豹子不同，猎豹不擅长攀爬，更喜欢将猎物留在地面上。
金钱豹（Panthera pardus）比猎豹体型更大、更强壮。 它们可以熟炼地登山爬树，经常出现在各种栖息地，包括稀树草原、森林和山脉。 豹子有美丽的金色皮毛，上面的斑点呈玫瑰花状（斑点聚集成圆圈, 类似古代的铜钱)，提供了极好的伪装。 它们能够捕获从小型哺乳动物到大型有蹄类动物各种猎物。 金钱豹能够将猎物举到树上，以保护它们免受食腐动物的骚扰。
这两种大型猫科动物美丽而孤独。 他们神秘而令人敬畏。
金钱豹和猎豹的比较 Comparison between Leopard and Cheetah
Cheetah 猎豹
Leopard 金钱豹子
