2007-06-27 13:39:47 · 12 answers · asked by flagberta777 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I worked with tigers and other big cats at a rescue for over 7 years. The only "big" cat that can purr is a cougar, which is in the same family as the common house cat, felis. Tigers, lions, leopards and jaguars are in the family panthera, and do not have the mechanism in their throats to purr. Tigers do make a lot of noises. I've raised them from 2 day old cubs, they whine, moan, hiss, roar, snarl, growl and make a poofing noise, which doesn't resemble purring in any way. This noise is also called chuffing. They expel air in short bursts of 3-8 expulsions and it sounds similar to when a person sticks their tounge out and makes a raspberry, just deeper.
2007-06-28 01:04:06 · answer #1 · answered by tanilioness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most big cats dont purr.Although the cougar "puma"whatever you would like to call it does purr, not a sound "like" a purr they really do purr like a house cat.Also,the cheetah purrs as well.Tigers do chuffle but it sounds nothing like a purr,and only tigers chuffle.Cats that can hiss like a house cat can usually purr, but not roar.
2007-06-28 00:02:48 · answer #2 · answered by Johnny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big cats cannot purr like other cats. Smaller cats are able to purr while breathing in and out where as large cats (tigers, lions, etc) are only able to do so when breathing out.
They really do not call it purring though (some do), most call it chuffing. Kinda sounds the same but a bit louder and rougher.
2007-06-27 23:23:28 · answer #3 · answered by The Cheshire 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, tigers purr. At least on the documentary I watched of a young cub nuzzling it's mom. And it was really loud. Sounded a wee bit like a Harley on idle. But who knows with these documentaries? It could have been an added sound effect.
2007-06-27 20:43:57 · answer #4 · answered by OP 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They do purr, but it is a very low pitched sound. It is much lower sound than snoring. If you go to a zoo which does not have the animals glassed inside their building, you can hear them, not all the time of course.
2007-06-27 20:48:46 · answer #5 · answered by Bibs 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have to watch more wild animal videos - tigers and lions purr, but not bears, Oh My.
2007-06-27 20:42:53 · answer #6 · answered by rb_cubed 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have heard that they do purr. I will take that as true. I personally don't want to find out. I am afraid I would hear GRRRR.
2007-06-27 20:49:05 · answer #7 · answered by coachotis 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They do purr.Tigers are cats and all cats have the ability to purr.
2007-06-27 20:43:16 · answer #8 · answered by bbdoll_67 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i once learned that most big cats can only roar. A cat can only roar or purr. But everyone else is saying they can do both. and yes they can.
2007-06-27 23:15:45 · answer #9 · answered by laxdefense13 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This site says that big cats do purr.
http://www.wisegeek.com/do-lions-and-tigers-purr.htm
2007-06-27 20:43:15 · answer #10 · answered by ecolink 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋