Lion vs. Cheetah — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Lions are large, social big cats with manes, known for strength, while cheetahs are slender, solitary, and the fastest land animals.
Difference Between Lion and Cheetah
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lions, known as the "king of the jungle," are muscular, robust big cats with a distinctive mane on males. Cheetahs are slender, built for speed, with a distinctive spotted coat and black tear marks on the face.
In behavior, lions are social animals, living in groups called prides. Cheetahs, on the other hand, are mostly solitary, except for females with cubs or sibling groups.
Lions have a roar that can be heard for miles, a sign of their power and territoriality. Cheetahs do not roar; they communicate with a variety of sounds like purring, chirping, and growling.
In hunting, lions rely on group strategy and strength, often hunting at night. Cheetahs are daytime hunters, relying on incredible bursts of speed to catch prey.
The habitat of lions is diverse, from savannah to bushland, and they are less specialized in terms of environment. Cheetahs prefer open spaces where they can utilize their speed, like grasslands and savannahs.
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Comparison Chart
Physical Build
Robust, muscular
Slender, built for speed
Social Structure
Live in prides
Mostly solitary
Vocalization
Roar
Purr, chirp, growl
Hunting Technique
Group hunting, strength-based
Solitary hunting, speed-based
Preferred Habitat
Diverse, including savannah, bushland
Open spaces, like grasslands and savannahs
Compare with Definitions
Lion
Lions have a tawny coat and males have a mane.
The male lion’s mane shimmered in the sunlight.
Cheetah
Cheetahs have a slender build and spotted coat.
The cheetah’s coat blended perfectly with the tall grass.
Lion
Lions are apex predators in their habitats.
The lion hunted skillfully, showcasing its prowess.
Cheetah
Cheetahs are solitary big cats.
The solitary cheetah scanned the horizon for prey.
Lion
A lion is a large, powerful big cat with a mane.
The lion roared loudly, asserting its dominance.
Cheetah
Cheetahs are specialized for speed.
The cheetah’s speed was its greatest hunting asset.
Lion
Lions are known as the "king of the jungle."
The majestic lion surveyed its territory with pride.
Cheetah
Cheetahs have distinctive black tear marks.
The cheetah’s tear marks contrasted with its golden fur.
Lion
Lions are social animals living in prides.
A pride of lions rested in the shade.
Cheetah
A cheetah is the fastest land animal.
The cheetah sprinted, reaching incredible speeds.
Lion
The lion (Panthera leo) is a large felid of the genus Panthera native mainly to Africa. It has a muscular, deep-chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail.
Cheetah
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph) with the fastest reliably recorded speeds being 93 and 98 km/h (58 and 61 mph), and as such has several adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail.
Lion
A large carnivorous feline mammal (Panthera leo) of Africa and northwest India, having a short tawny coat, a tufted tail, and, in the male, a heavy mane around the neck and shoulders.
Cheetah
A long-legged, swift-running wild cat (Acinonyx jubatus) of Africa and southwest Asia, having tawny, black-spotted fur and nonretractile claws. The cheetah, the fastest animal on land, can run for short distances at about 96 kilometers (60 miles) per hour.
Lion
A mountain lion.
Cheetah
A distinctive member (Acinonyx jubatus) of the cat family, slightly smaller than the leopard, but with proportionately longer limbs and a smaller head; native to Africa and southeast Asia (where it is nearly extinct) and also credited with being the fastest terrestrial animal.
Lion
A very brave person.
Cheetah
A species of leopard (Cynælurus jubatus) tamed and used for hunting in India. The woolly cheetah of South Africa is Cynælurus laneus. It runs very fast in short spurts while hunting.
Lion
A person regarded as fierce or savage.
Cheetah
Long-legged spotted cat of Africa and southwestern Asia having nonretractile claws; the swiftest mammal; can be trained to run down game
Lion
A noted person; a celebrity
A literary lion.
Lion
Lion See Leo.
Lion
A big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly much of Europe.
Tigers and lions share a common ancestor from a few million years ago.
Lion
(in particular) A male lion, as opposed to a lioness.
Lion
(by extension) Any of various extant and extinct big cats, especially the mountain lion.
Lion
A Chinese foo dog.
Lion
An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.
Lion
A famous person regarded with interest and curiosity.
Lion
A light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion. en
Lion
(historical) An old Scottish coin, with a lion on the obverse, worth 74 shillings.
Lion
Of the light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.
Lion
A large carnivorous feline mammal (Panthera leo, formerly Felis leo), found in Southern Asia and in most parts of Africa, distinct varieties occurring in the different countries. The adult male, in most varieties, has a thick mane of long shaggy hair that adds to his apparent size, which is less than that of the largest tigers. The length, however, is sometimes eleven feet to the base of the tail. The color is a tawny yellow or yellowish brown; the mane is darker, and the terminal tuft of the tail is black. In one variety, called the maneless lion, the male has only a slight mane.
Lion
A sign and a constellation; Leo.
Lion
An object of interest and curiosity, especially a person who is so regarded; as, he was quite a lion in London at that time.
Such society was far more enjoyable than that of Edinburgh, for here he was not a lion, but a man.
Lion
Large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
Lion
A celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)
Lion
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo
Lion
The fifth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about July 23 to August 22
Common Curiosities
Where do cheetahs live?
Cheetahs are found in parts of Africa and Iran.
How fast can a lion run?
Lions can run up to 50 mph (80 km/h) for short distances.
How fast can a cheetah run?
Cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (112 km/h).
What is a cheetah?
A cheetah is a big cat known for being the fastest land animal.
Can cheetahs climb trees?
Cheetahs are not adept climbers like some other big cats.
Where do lions live?
Lions live in parts of Africa and a small population in India.
Are cheetahs endangered?
Cheetahs are considered vulnerable, with declining populations due to habitat loss.
What do lions eat?
Lions are carnivores, mainly eating large mammals like zebras and wildebeests.
What is a lion?
A lion is a large, social big cat, known for its strength and mane.
Do lions climb trees?
Some lions climb trees, but it's not common.
How long do lions live?
Lions live for about 10-14 years in the wild.
What do cheetahs eat?
Cheetahs primarily eat smaller mammals like gazelles and impalas.
Do cheetahs have predators?
Cheetahs face threats from larger predators like lions and hyenas.
Are lions endangered?
Lions are classified as vulnerable, facing habitat loss and conflict with humans.
Do lions have predators?
Adult lions have no natural predators but face threats from humans.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
