Exotic Pets: The Cheetah

Ever dreamed of having the fastest animal in the animal kingdom purring beside you as a pet? Although it may be a far-fetched dream, there are people who keep cheetahs as pets dating as back as Ancient Egyptian times. Although cheetahs are generally found in Africa, they can also be found in other parts of the world like Asia.

First off, some basic information needs to be noted. Cheetahs are fast creatures, and can accelerate their speed from 0 to 70mph in a matter of seconds; they're generally around 90 to 140 pounds, and are around 45 inches long. Cheetahs have elongated bodies, and a semi-retractable, blunt claw which helps them grasp objects. There are some different species of cheetahs though each with their own different characteristic and advantage. Some may be a bit larger like the King Cheetah and faster because of their bodily adaptations to the environment.

Cheetahs are generally easy to train as pets, and although hard to imagine, they can be pretty affectionate animals. For example, a pet cheetah will purr and rub their owners just like cats. Keep in mind that cheetahs are loud feline pets, and their purr can be quite deafening. Cheetahs are carnivorous animals, and hunts for small mammals and young larger mammals by sight. They use their ability to run to the best of their ability, but they will give up easily due to the large amount of heat they generate by running. Keep in mind that feeding cheetahs is not easy, and you will need a large environment in order for them to generate their running abilities and exercise. Cheetahs need to rest for a while after a long run though.