Zoos, Circuses, Safaris: A Gallery of Captivity

[Pckts]

(06-21-2022, 03:29 PM)LandSeaLion Wrote: An interesting picture, which has caused some online confusion as to whether this is a leopard or a jaguar:

*This image is copyright of its original author

https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/vh1qtq/oc_i_went_to_the_zoo_today_and_saw_a_beautiful/

Commentary from the original poster:

Quote:It is indeed a leopard. 
The exhibit was for leopards and the zoo handler who was providing knowledge on these animals said most people will confuse a juvenile leopard for a jaguar and vice versa. When the cubs are around this age, their spots are starting to develop and a jaguar (when fully mature) will have a tan dot with a black outline and a bold black dot in the middle. If you look at the spots on her back, you’ll notice their are some spots that look exactly like this but that’s because she is still growing and as she matures that large black dot in the center will get smaller and smaller and in some cases will almost seem to disappear. 
Another way to distinguish is her face. She has a more rounded face as a jaguar cub will have a more boxy shape to their face until they mature and it takes a more rounded shape. 
Lastly, it is not uncommon for leopards to have bright colored eyes when in youth and as they mature the color will become more dull and for most, will eventually turn into a yellow, brown and amber color to blend in with their natural habitat. 
If only the zoo handler could see me now, dispensing the knowledge I’ve learned.

Jaguar
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