Spotted Cats
1 Several members of the cat family have spotted fur. Do you
know the difference between a leopard, a jaguar, and a cheetah?
From a distance they may appear somewhat similar. Examined
at closer range, however, they are clearly different cats. They
differ in various ways, including where they live, how big they
are, how they move and hunt, and how their fur is marked.
know the difference between a leopard, a jaguar, and a cheetah?
From a distance they may appear somewhat similar. Examined
at closer range, however, they are clearly different cats. They
differ in various ways, including where they live, how big they
are, how they move and hunt, and how their fur is marked.
2 Of all the big cats in the wild, the true leopard is found
across the largest area. Leopards live in much of Asia and
Africa. A leopard grows to be from 3 to 6 feet long, with an
added 3 feet of tail. Leopards are skilled climbers that can hunt
monkeys in trees. They can also lie in wait and pounce on
passing prey. When food sources are scarce, they might eat
fruit, field mice, and large insects. Leopard spots are not
actually solid spots; they are broken circles.
across the largest area. Leopards live in much of Asia and
Africa. A leopard grows to be from 3 to 6 feet long, with an
added 3 feet of tail. Leopards are skilled climbers that can hunt
monkeys in trees. They can also lie in wait and pounce on
passing prey. When food sources are scarce, they might eat
fruit, field mice, and large insects. Leopard spots are not
actually solid spots; they are broken circles.
3 The jaguar is native to the Americas. Its natural range is from the southern United States to northern
Argentina, with the largest concentration of jaguars being in Brazil and Central America. The beauty and
power of the jaguar inspired worship among ancient peoples. It measures between 3 and 6 feet long without
the tail, which adds another 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet. Possessing a large head and body, the jaguar has legs that are
shorter and thicker than a leopard’s. Jaguars are excellent climbers and can also swim well. They dine on a
variety of land, tree, and water creatures. Their fur can be a vivid yellow color or a rusty shade; their “spots”
are called rosettes. Each rosette is large and black, consisting of a middle spot with a circle of spots around it.
Argentina, with the largest concentration of jaguars being in Brazil and Central America. The beauty and
power of the jaguar inspired worship among ancient peoples. It measures between 3 and 6 feet long without
the tail, which adds another 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet. Possessing a large head and body, the jaguar has legs that are
shorter and thicker than a leopard’s. Jaguars are excellent climbers and can also swim well. They dine on a
variety of land, tree, and water creatures. Their fur can be a vivid yellow color or a rusty shade; their “spots”
are called rosettes. Each rosette is large and black, consisting of a middle spot with a circle of spots around it.
4 Most cheetahs live in the wilds of Africa. There are also some in Iran and northwestern Afghanistan. The
cheetah’s head is smaller than the leopard’s, and its body is longer. This cat is built for speed. Its legs are
much longer than the leopard’s, allowing it to run at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour! This incredible ability
helps the cheetahs catch their dinner, which is usually an unfortunate antelope. A cheetah’s spots are simply
black spots, not rosettes or circles.
cheetah’s head is smaller than the leopard’s, and its body is longer. This cat is built for speed. Its legs are
much longer than the leopard’s, allowing it to run at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour! This incredible ability
helps the cheetahs catch their dinner, which is usually an unfortunate antelope. A cheetah’s spots are simply
black spots, not rosettes or circles.
5 Other spotted cats include the smaller ocelot, mainly of Central and South America, and the lynx or
bobcat, mainly of North America. What all of these cats have in common is that they are wild, powerful
animals of tremendous grace and beauty.
bobcat, mainly of North America. What all of these cats have in common is that they are wild, powerful
animals of tremendous grace and beauty.
CSR0P043
Which words from the passage are used as
persuasion in that they express an attitude of
sympathy for animals that are prey to big cats?
A . . . how they move and hunt . . .
B . . . might eat fruit, field mice, and large
insects.
C . . . dinner, which is usually an unfortunate
antelope.
D . . . that they are wild, powerful animals . . .
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