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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I'm an evolutionary biologist with a passion for animals. Ask about natural history, behavior, ecology, evolution. PLEASE NOTE:

If you have found an "orphaned" wild animal or bird:
Please don't waste time asking questions on the internet, as the answers may come too late. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL, and DO NOT HANDLE IT unless it is in imminent danger. (Many wild "orphans" are not orphans at all!) If you are absolutely sure it is orphaned, keep it warm and quiet, and find a LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR HERE. Don't try to raise the baby yourself. Many a well-intentioned rescuer will do more harm than good, especially with baby birds and baby rabbits.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMALS
Without geographic location, time of day and habitat, I can't help. A clear picture is always best.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMAL SOUNDS
It's impossible for me to I.D. an animal call without hearing it myself.

COMPARATIVE STRENGTHS
I'm not an expert on comparative strengths of different animals (more complicated than you might think!) nor bite forces.

FIGHTING ANIMALS
I refuse to answer "Which of these two animals--X or X--would win in a fight?".

These hypothetical matchups range from impossible (Grizzly Bears and Gorillas don't even occupy the same continent.) to ridiculous (Someone asked me "Who would win a fight between a Great White Shark and a tiger?").

The vast majority of animals--even the fierce and powerful--are not as warlike as Homo sapiens, and it's childish to project our aggressiveness onto them.

Experience
I have been the fortunate caregiver to a group of Black-tailed Jackrabbits rescued from the Miami International Airport, and not releasable in this area because they are not native. I also have rehabbed and released Eastern Cottontails, and am in contact with many very experienced wildlife rescuers who regularly handle injured or orphaned rabbits and hares.

Organizations
House Rabbit Society

Publications
Exotic DVM journal

Education/Credentials
I have a Ph.D. in Biology, with main areas of expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, botany, and ecology.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Wild Animals > Can cheetahs and leopards interbreed?

Wild Animals - Can cheetahs and leopards interbreed?


Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 10/28/2009

Question

Hello there,

Can cheetahs and arabian leopards interbreed? is there any record(s) of a successful attemept in breeding cheetahs and leopards? if yes is an answer, how such an interbreed possibility can be encouraged?

Many thanks

Tariq  

Answer
Dear Tariq,

No, the two species (Acionyx jubatus, the cheetah and Panthera pardus, the leopard) are quite distantly related and are not genetically capable of producing viable, fertile offspring together.  There have been no confirmed attempts of breeding these two cats, which have very different behaviors and morphology (which might in itself provide a barrier to hybridization), and certainly no confirmed hybrids.

The fabled "King Cheetah", once believed to be a leopard x cheetah hybrid, turned out to be merely a color variant of the cheetah (which shows just how labile coat color patterns can be!).  You can see very neat pictures of these beautiful cats here:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3...

Hope that helps.



Dana

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