The distinctive black-and-white pattern on an African leopard’s coat is called rosettes.
Rosettes are ring-shaped markings made of clusters of dark spots surrounding a lighter center. On leopards, they are usually irregular and vary in size and shape across the body. The pattern helps break up the animal’s outline among grass, leaves and dappled woodland light.
Leopard markings are individually distinctive, much like fingerprints in humans. Researchers can use photographs of rosettes to identify particular animals in camera-trap studies and long-term field research.
Leopards are sometimes confused with jaguars because both cats have rosettes. Jaguar rosettes often contain one or more small central spots, while leopard rosettes are generally smaller and lack those central dots. Melanistic leopards, commonly called black panthers, still possess rosette patterns, although they can be difficult to see except in strong light.