Why Do Cats Purr? The Rumble in the Voice Box!

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do cats purr?

The Big Idea

Purrrr! That soft rumble is one of the coziest sounds in the animal world. But how do cats make it, and why? Let's find out, in three steps!

Voice Box Rumble

Step one: a rumble in the voice box! Tiny muscles in the voice box, called the larynx, twitch super quickly. That makes the vocal cords vibrate, About 25 to 150 times every second! Rumble, rumble.

In and Out

Step two: it works breathing in, and out! Most sounds, like meows, only happen when a cat breathes out. But purring happens as the cat breathes in, and out, So it makes a steady, soothing rumble that can go on and on.

Comfort Tool

Step three: it's a comfort tool, not only a happy sound! Cats purr when they are happy, but also when they are calm, Nervous, hurt and healing, or trying to feel safe. Purring may help a cat soothe itself, a bit like humming a song.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look inside a cat's throat. Here's the voice box, or larynx. Inside it are the vocal cords. When tiny muscles squeeze and relax, the vocal cords vibrate. Those vibrations become the purr you can hear, and feel!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Cats purr at about 25 to 150 hertz. That means vibrations per second! Kittens can purr when they're just a few days old, and mother cats purr back. Cheetahs can purr too! But lions and tigers roar instead, and can't purr like house cats.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! If a friendly cat allows, rest two fingers gently on its throat while it purrs. What do you notice? Can you feel the rumble? Does the purr change when the cat breathes in, and out? Always be gentle, and let the cat decide!

Outro

So a purr is a cat's rumbly voice box, saying I'm happy, or helping it feel calm and safe. Remember, Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!