7 Commonly Mistaken Animal Pairs—and How to Tell Them Apart

Some animal species are nearly impossible to tell apart. Is that a jaguar staring at you from the dark, or a leopard? A lizard crawling on the ground, or a salamander? Don’t worry—we’ve got the answers. Here’s how to tell apart seven pairs of frequently confused animals.

1. Moths vs. Butterflies

This one might seem obvious. Most people think of butterflies as bright, colorful creatures fluttering around gardens, while moths are typically plain and only come out at night to bump into your porch light. But the reality is more complex.

Moths and butterflies are both part of the Lepidoptera order—and it's an incredibly diverse and varied group, with many species that will surprise you. Some moths are active during the day, hovering near flowers and sipping nectar. Moths can be stunningly vibrant, like the Madagascan sunset moth. On the other hand, there are butterflies with dull hues, such as the grayish Avalon hairstreak.

So, how do you tell them apart? One of the most reliable methods is to examine their antennae (those long protrusions from the head). Generally, butterflies have a thickened section at the end of their antennae, while moth antennae are typically slim or feathery and taper to a point, though there are exceptions.

2. Dolphins vs. Porpoises

You may have heard people mix up these terms, but dolphins and porpoises are quite distinct. To start, there are far more dolphins than porpoises. The dolphin family, Delphinidae, has around 37 species, including famous ones like bottlenose dolphins (such as Flipper) and killer whales (like Shamu). In contrast, the porpoise family, Phocoenidae, has only about seven species. Unfortunately, that number could soon drop to six, as one species—the panda-like vaquita—is nearly extinct.

Generally, porpoises and dolphins have different body types. Porpoises usually have rounded faces, stocky bodies, and triangular dorsal (back) fins. Dolphins, on the other hand, often have pointy faces, sleek bodies, and curved dorsal fins. Of course, there are exceptions—like Risso’s dolphins, which have blunt heads.

Another way to tell them apart is by their teeth. Porpoises have spade-shaped teeth, while dolphins have cone-shaped teeth. However, that’s not something you can easily see unless you're brave enough to peer into their mouths.

3. Sheep vs. Goats

Domestic sheep and goats are both four-legged, cloven-hoofed animals with soft noses and unusually striking eyes. Here’s a quick way to tell them apart: check out the tail. Goats tend to keep their tails raised, while sheep’s tails naturally droop down.

Their eating habits are also different. Sheep, like cows, are grazers—they roam across fields, munching on the grass and plants close to the ground. Goats, however, are browsers. They selectively nibble on shrubs and plants higher off the ground, and they’re even known to climb trees in search of tasty treats.

4. Lizards vs. Salamanders

Lizards and salamanders may seem quite similar, with their long bodies, tails, and four-legged movement. But they are actually quite different. Despite their similar appearance, lizards are more closely related to humans than they are to salamanders.

Lizards are reptiles, like snakes and turtles, while salamanders are amphibians, like frogs. A closer look reveals some big differences: lizards have claws, but salamanders generally don’t (although there are one or two exceptions). Salamanders also lack scales, and their skin tends to be smooth, moist, and slimy. Many species of salamanders don't even have internal lungs—instead, their skin acts like an external lung.

5. Hedgehogs vs. Porcupines

Let’s break it down: hedgehogs and porcupines both have spiny protection. These spines are actually special hairs with hardened, hollow centers. That’s about all they share. Despite their similarities, hedgehogs and porcupines aren't closely related and evolved their spines independently. Interestingly, there are two types of porcupines—New World and Old World—each having evolved spines separately. It’s simply an effective evolutionary trait!

Hedgehogs’ closest relatives resemble spineless hedgehogs; they’re mammals called gymnures and moonrats. Porcupines, on the other hand, belong to the order Rodentia—they are rodents. While they might not seem like typical rodents, take a look at their large front teeth.

Porcupines use their large, chisel-like teeth to feed on plants. Hedgehogs, by contrast, have sharp teeth and snouts, and are omnivores, eating a wide range of foods such as frogs, insects, fruits, and more.

Hedgehogs can be found in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, but they do not live in North or South America. So, if you spot a spiky creature in the Americas, it’s most likely a porcupine.

6. Crocodiles vs. Alligators

Alligators and crocodiles look alike, which makes sense given their shared family in the Crocodilia order. However, they have distinct traits. Crocodiles are built for saltwater, thanks to special glands that help them expel excess salt. They thrive in coastal areas like mangrove swamps. Alligators, on the other hand, are more suited to freshwater habitats, as their salt glands aren’t as developed.

Another way to distinguish them is by the shape of their heads. Crocodiles have long, V-shaped jaws, while alligators have broader, U-shaped snouts. But there are exceptions—like the mugger crocodile from India, which has a more rounded snout like an alligator. There are also other Crocodilia species with unusually narrow snouts, such as the strange-looking false gharial and gharial.

Here’s a helpful tip: check their teeth. In crocodiles, the fourth tooth on the lower jaw sticks out and overlaps the upper jaw, making their mouth resemble a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit together.

7. Leopards vs. Jaguars

Although both are large spotted cats, it's easy to distinguish a jaguar from a leopard based on their geographical locations. Leopards are native to Africa and parts of Asia, while jaguars are found in South and Central America, with a few occasional sightings in the southwestern United States.

You can also tell them apart by examining their markings. Both cats have dark spots, but jaguars have smaller spots inside each cluster. Leopards tend to be leaner and smaller, with longer tails. However, you likely won't spot these animals easily, as they are incredibly elusive and tend to avoid human attention.