What animal is depicted as leaping on the Jaguar emblem?

The animal depicted leaping on the Jaguar emblem is a jaguar.

Jaguar Cars used the leaping jaguar to express speed, power, grace, and performance. The emblem turns the animal’s long body and extended legs into a dynamic silhouette, making the badge appear to move even when mounted on a stationary car. Jaguar also used a separate growler badge showing a jaguar’s head, so the company has had more than one animal-based identity mark.

The leaper became strongly associated with Jaguar sports cars and luxury vehicles during the twentieth century. It is often seen on the rear of cars or as a hood ornament on older models, although safety and regulatory considerations affected the use of projecting ornaments in some markets.

The silhouette is sometimes called a panther because both animals are large cats. Jaguar is the specific species represented by the brand name and emblem.