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In reply to the discussion: If you could be any animal for a day, which animal would you pick? I would like to be a dolphin. How about you? [View all]Niagara
(11,596 posts)a Panthera Pardus also known as a Leopard.
Or
a Panthera Onca also known as a Jaguar.
Both have similar but different rosette pattern coats. Both will take advantage of water and trees. Both can have melanistic coats if at least one parent is melanistic. unfortunately, both are poached by humans for their coats.
The leopard isn't an apex predator with a long tail and slender body with a rosette patterned coat. Has special muscles in the neck and shoulders that allows it to drag prey and climb trees.

The jaquar is an apex predator with a shorter tail with a shorter and stockier body. Has a rosette pattern with tannish and black spots inside the rosettes. This beauty doesn't need to climb trees being the top cat in the wild but absolutely can and will loaf around in trees and use trees to their full advantage.

**Roar** 😺