Book 1, Question 31
Why Do Cats Purr? The Rumble in the Voice Box!
A cat's purr is a steady, soothing rumble, and it comes from the voice box, or larynx. Tiny muscles there vibrate quickly, and the purr happens as the cat breathes in and out. The page shares that cats purr at about 25 to 150 hertz, or vibrations per second. Cats purr when they are happy, but also when they are calm, nervous, healing or trying to feel safe. If a friendly cat allows it, rest two fingers on its throat and notice what you feel.
More fun facts
- The biggest cats, like lions and tigers, cannot purr the way house cats do. Cheetahs and servals can.
- The cheetah and the cougar are the largest cats known to be able to purr.
- Tigers have been said to make purr-like sounds, but scientists are not sure those are true purrs.
- Purrs are low sounds, and they keep going through the whole breath, both in and out.
- Purring is part of cat language. Cats use it to talk to you and to other cats.
Sources: BBC, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Which cats can purr?
House cats can, and so can cheetahs, servals, and cougars. The biggest cats, like lions, cannot purr the same way.