A beautiful and graceful cat, the Cheetah can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour on open land. The Cheetah, the fastest of cats and all land animals, should probably not be considered as a pet for the first-time exotic cat owner. In the wild, the Cheetah stalks his prey by day, unlike most of the large cats, which tend to be nocturnal hunters. The Cheetah uses speed and agility to chase down his prey, choosing the weakest and slowest of the hoofed herd animals, especially gazelles and small antelope. In some areas, Cheetahs also prey on livestock and small camels.
Cheetahs have powerful jaws and often use suffocation to kill their prey.
These cats either hunt alone or in family groups, usually comprised of males. Because of their small size, Cheetahs often lose their kill to larger predators and scavengers. Cheetahs also have an increased capacity for breathing, with larger nasal passages. History shows Cheetahs were kept as pets as early as 3000 BC by wealthy Sumarians for hunting purposes. As a pet, Cheetahs need a large, sturdy enclosure made of strong materials, such as concrete, according to local regulations.