>>48360677>Yes. They are the largest "small cat" or the smallest "big cat", depending on how you wanna view it.The former is more accurate. Cheetahs are felinae like ocelots, servals, and the domestic cat. Lions, tigers, leopards, etc are all pantherinae, the sister group. That's why cheetahs can't roar, they don't have the specialized bone in their throat like true big cats that's used to make the roaring sound, instead they just meow and poor like giant housecats (something that lions, tigers, etc can't do). Technically they aren't actually "the largest small cat" though, cougars are felinae too but are still much larger than a cheetah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn5sOu2oK68Cheetahs are also a lot like other felinae in that they are surprisingly easy to tame and get along well with humans, it's known that ancient Egyptians would use them as hunting companions just like you would a sighthound. Cheetahs are honestly super cool animals.