Which wild large cat (Panthera pardus) has a spotted coat?

The wild large cat Panthera pardus with a spotted coat is the leopard. Its pale yellow to golden fur is marked by dark spots, usually arranged in rosette patterns that help break up its outline in forests, grasslands, and rocky habitats.

Leopards live across parts of Africa and Asia and are remarkably adaptable, occupying environments from tropical forests to dry savannas and mountains. They are powerful climbers and may haul prey into trees, protecting it from competing predators such as lions and hyenas.

A common mix-up is the cheetah, whose coat has solid round spots rather than the leopard’s rosettes. Jaguars also have rosettes, but they are native to the Americas and often have central spots inside those rosettes. Some leopards have a genetic condition called melanism, producing an almost-black coat; these are often called black panthers, though their spots may still be visible in certain light.