# Jaguar versus Leopard **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748 "2005-01-14T18:45:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/1 "2005-01-14T18:45:05Z")
It has been a while since I have asked an “animal vs. animal” question. Here comes a new one: Battle of the spotted cats – Jaguar versus leopard. Who would win? Why? (By the way, I know that the two species would not meet in their natural environments, living in opposite hemispheres and all, but I thought I wouldn’t let that silly detail stop me from posting! ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/2 "2005-01-14T19:00:50Z")
Jaguars are larger - both at absolute extremes and on average. A really large male from the Pantanal might tip out at 300 lbs and more usually would average around 200. Meanwhile a huge male leopard might hit 200 lbs at the high end, but the average considerably smaller. Otherwise there is not a great deal to distinguish them in an arena setting. All in all I’d give it to the Jaguar. On average. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/3 "2005-01-14T21:10:42Z")
Besides its pure weight advantage, the [Jaguar](http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/jaguar.htm) is a much more heavily built and powerful animal than the [Leopard.](http://www.safaricamlive.com/Encyclopedia/mammals/leopard/photos/leopard08.jpg) I would also give it to the Jaguar. ---
**Author:** ![SavageNarce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/4 "2005-01-14T21:16:35Z")
I disagree. While beautiful, the [jaguar](http://www.jaguar.ca/gloimages/index2.jpg) is much lighter and less powerful than the [leopard.](http://www.sfu.ca/casr/leo2-1.jpg) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/5 "2005-01-14T21:31:57Z")
> [@SavageNarce](#): > > I disagree. While beautiful, the [jaguar](http://www.jaguar.ca/gloimages/index2.jpg) is much lighter and less powerful than the [leopard.](http://www.sfu.ca/casr/leo2-1.jpg) Yeah, but the Jaguar gets more chicks. But I agree, _that_ Leopard would make short work of _that_ Jaguar. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/6 "2005-01-14T22:53:30Z")
My initial response was the same as others, that the jaguar with its larger size and more muscular frame would definitely have the advantage. Then I started thinking about _why_ the leopard is smaller and skinnier: because it spends a lot of time in the trees, partly in pursuit of prey (and to keep its catches away from other predators like hyenas), partly to get away from the generally land-based lion. So instead of just assuming a cage match, what if you set up an arena that would play to the leopard’s strengths instead of the jaguar’s? Lots of vertical terrain, slender branches, that sort of thing, requiring climbing and maneuverability. Not saying the jaguar’s a slouch in this department, and maybe the leopard would just retreat anyway, recognizing a physically superior opponent the way it does with the lion, but I figured it was worth consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/7 "2005-01-14T23:01:59Z")
On the other hand, the two animals look so similar, they might just get confused, and… "Hey! Those cats aren’t fighting! …What are they _doing_?" _bwow chikka bwow chikka bwow bwow bwow…_ ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/8 "2005-01-14T23:17:46Z")
And I thought this was going to be about different versions of the Mac OS… ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/9 "2005-01-15T17:53:26Z")
It was rumored that conductor Raymond Leppard [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Leppard-Raymond.htm](http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Leppard-Raymond.htm) drives a Jaguar. Leppard denied it. He also states that he does not have a son named Def. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jaguar-versus-leopard/284748/10 "2005-01-15T19:31:15Z")
Unless there is evidence that they have actually met in the ring, who-would-win type questions are largely a matter of opinion. Off to IMHO. bibliophage moderator GQ