Understanding the Cat with Leopard Spots: Fashion, Facts, and Conservation
I have a pet peeve. Scrolling through Pinterest, I encountered a pin from a Diane Von Furstenberg collection featuring a print that resembled a clouded leopard. However, upon clicking, the image led to a snow leopard photo accompanied by natural history and conservation details for that species. I was thrilled by the connection to the animal but disappointed by the incorrect information. As both a fashion enthusiast and a scientist, particularly a mammalogist, I care deeply about the accurate representation of animals. This blog series aims to bridge my love for fashion and animals by exploring the fascinating creatures behind the apparel we wear. This first post focuses on the quintessential print, often deemed a neutral: the print from the Cat With Leopard Spots. How can you distinguish authentic leopard print from other patterned felines?
One of my favorite designers Alice + Olivia using leopard print. Being a fashionista, but also a scientist (especially a mammalogist), I actually care if people get the animal right. Even better, if they know something about the animal. Combining my love of fashion and animals, I am writing a series of blogs focused on the animals behind the apparel you wear.
This first post is on the most classic print. So classic, some call it a neutral: leopard print. So how do you identify leopard print from other cats? exotic cats for sale near me
Identifying Leopard Print vs. Jaguar Spots
Leopards (Panthera pardus) and jaguars (Panthera onca) appear quite similar, and in the wild, their geographic location is the primary differentiator. A large, stocky, spotted cat in Central or South America is a jaguar, whereas one found in Africa or Asia is a leopard. Fashion knows no such boundaries, necessitating a closer look at the spots themselves for identification. The key difference lies in the pattern of their rosettes (spots). Leopard coats are typically tawny with black rosettes that have centres darker than the surrounding fur but are a solid shade without further markings inside. These rosettes become more completely filled towards the legs and head. Jaguars, conversely, possess small spots within some of their rosettes. There are, however, exceptions to this general rule, which we will explore further.
Leopard rosettes showing typical solid black pattern, distinguishing cat with leopard spots.Leopard rosettes generally lack spots within their centres.
Jaguar rosettes often contain small spots inside.
I LOVE this sparkly Michael Kors dress!
Exceptions to the Spot Pattern Rule
As noted, the standard way to identify leopard print is by examining the rosettes: leopards typically have hollow rosettes, while jaguars have spots within theirs. Yet, some leopards, particularly those from India, present rosettes that contain internal spots. Despite this pattern overlap, their origin in India confirms they are indeed leopards, as jaguars are exclusively found in the Americas.
Rare leopard from India displaying atypical rosettes with spots inside, an exception for this cat with leopard spots.Leopard from India with spots inside the rosettes.
A fundamental principle in biology is that rules often have exceptions. This case proved intriguing enough to capture the attention of conservationist Johann Vermeulen when I shared these photos on Twitter. To my surprise, he stated he had never encountered this variation before. Vermeulen, who has extensive experience developing training materials for customs officials to identify wild cat skins and has examined numerous samples, confirmed that in 28 years as a conservation officer, he had not found reference to a leopard with spots within its rosettes. donskoy cat for sale
The prevalence of this pattern in leopards remains unclear. However, Jonathon Botten, a researcher working in Gabon, contacted me with similar findings. His camera traps in the Congo Basin have captured leopards exhibiting the same unusual patterns. He posits that this variation might serve as camouflage in more heavily forested environments.
Gabonese leopard captured by camera trap, showing potential camouflage patterns in a forested area for this cat with leopard spots.
The Mystery of Melanistic Leopards (Black Panthers)
Some leopards display melanism, a genetic mutation resulting in high levels of melanin pigment. This leads to an almost entirely black coat, creating the animal often referred to as a “black panther”. A black panther is not a distinct species but a melanistic variant of a leopard (or sometimes a jaguar). Although the coat appears black, they still possess the characteristic black rosettes, which are merely difficult to discern against the dark background. With close observation and good lighting, these patterns can often be made out.
Melanistic black jaguar, often mistaken for a black panther (a black leopard), displaying faint spots visible in certain light.
Identifying Leopard Print vs. Cheetah Spots
Distinguishing leopard print from cheetah spots is considerably simpler. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are identifiable by their solid, round, or oval spots, which differ markedly from the rosettes seen on leopards and jaguars.
The Evolutionary Lineage of Leopards
Despite the superficial similarity of their coats to jaguars and cheetahs, genetic studies show that leopards are most closely related to lions (Panthera leo), an unspotted species. Leopards are one of the five “big cat” species classified within the genus Panthera, alongside lions, tigers, jaguars, and snow leopards. This group underwent a rapid evolutionary diversification approximately 3-4 million years ago. The split between lions and leopards occurred during the Pleistocene era, while jaguars diverged from the lion/leopard lineage near the Plio-Pleistocene boundary. Cheetahs, belonging to the genus Acinonyx, are much more distantly related, reflecting their evolutionary divergence from the Panthera lineage.
Leopard Conservation and Natural History
Leopards boast the most extensive geographic distribution among the big cat species, ranging across vast areas of Africa and southern Asia. Although they may be locally abundant in certain regions, their population is declining globally, classifying them as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List. Leopards face threats from habitat loss due to human expansion. However, unlike many large mammals and even other big cats, they possess a remarkable ability to coexist with human populations, provided there are sufficient hiding places and prey available. caracal cat for sale This proximity, however, exposes them to one of their most significant threats: conflict with humans. Leopards sometimes prey on livestock, leading humans to retaliate directly to prevent further losses, often through methods like poisoning carcasses.
Two leopards on Mount Kenya, highlighting the species' wide range and appearance in natural habitat.Two leopards on Mount Kenya.
Leopard Print in Fashion: From Wild Cats to Wardrobes
Surprisingly, despite the proliferation of stunning faux prints, leopards are still poached for their skins. This poses a serious threat, particularly through illegal trade in central and West African nations, often for use in traditional ceremonies, such as those in South Africa. The widespread popularity of leopard print in fashion received a major boost following First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s appearance in a real leopard coat. As others sought to emulate this exotic look, populations of leopards and other spotted cats plummeted. The establishment of protective measures like the Endangered Species Act and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has been crucial in curbing large-scale killing and trade of these animals. The shift to faux prints became a fortunate intersection of conservation necessity and fashion desirability, allowing designers and consumers alike to embrace the chic appeal without the ethical and conservation costs. Today’s leopard prints are stylish representations of the actual furs once coveted. To support this trend of choosing faux for conservation, you can visit IFakeIt.org and share a photo of yourself in leopard print using the hashtag #IFakeIt. bengal cats for sale price
Styling Your Leopard Print
Leopard print is incredibly versatile, often regarded as a neutral because it can be paired with almost anything. It pairs particularly well with bright colors, especially red. If you’re hesitant about incorporating prints, sticking to blacks, tans, or browns that match elements within the print is a safe bet. For those new to wearing prints, the boldness of leopard might feel overwhelming initially. A great way to start is by using it in small accessories like a scarf or shoes. Even these subtle touches of leopard print can make a significant fashion statement. male witch names for cats
Wearing leopard print for my TEDx talk.
While scientists aren’t typically perceived as fashion icons, my posts aim to show how deeply fashion draws inspiration from the natural world, especially animals. If you’re going to wear the print, why not take a moment to learn about the incredible Cat With Leopard Spots behind it?
All camera trap photos are from the eMammal camera trapping project. This post was originally posted on the Wildlife SNPits.
Leopard print is a neutral and you can dress it up or down.
Love this post? Share it with friends!
