What is the Difference Between Cheetah and Lion?

Cheetahs and lions are both big cats, but they have several differences in terms of appearance, habitat, hunting techniques, and social behavior. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Appearance: Lions have a large, heavy, weighty built with a yellowish-brown body, a tufted tail, and a shaggy mane for males. Cheetahs, on the other hand, have a slender body, facial stripes, and solid spots. They also have non-retractable claws and pads.
2. Habitat: Cheetahs are native to Africa and central Iran, while lions live in various habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, scrub, and forests.
3. Hunting Techniques: Cheetahs rely on their speed and agility to catch faster and smaller prey. They are ambush predators and use their bursts of speed to chase down their targets. Lions, being larger and more powerful, use their strength to take down bigger animals. They are both ambush and endurance predators.
4. Speed: Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 mph. Lions are also fast, with a top speed of 50 mph for short periods.
5. Size: Lions are larger than cheetahs, weighing over 500 lbs and growing up to 8 ft long and 4 ft tall.
6. Social Behavior: Lions live in groups called prides, while cheetahs are solitary as adults, forming coalitions only as youngsters.
7. Biting Power: Cheetahs have 30 teeth, 1-inch-long fangs, and can bite with 500 PSI of power. Lions have a stronger bite, with up to 1,000 PSI and 4-inch canines to dig into their prey.
8. Conservation Status: Lions are classified as vulnerable, while cheetahs are considered threatened.

In summary, the main differences between cheetahs and lions lie in their appearance, hunting techniques, size, social behavior, and biting power.

Comparative Table: Cheetah vs Lion

Here is a table comparing the differences between cheetahs and lions:

Lions and cheetahs are both large felines, but they have distinct differences in their size, speed, hunting techniques, and social behavior. Lions are larger, more powerful, and live in groups, while cheetahs are faster, more agile, and typically hunt solo.