The simple version is that a cat either roars (the big cats) or purrs (medium and smaller cats). Big cats can make a purring sound when exhaling but whether this is the same sound as a smaller cat’s purr (which sounds while the cat inhales and exhales and depends on a certain type of anatomy) or just sounds like a purr is still up for debate.
Apparently, purring is how a cat solicits attention. That’s why they purr when petted (Usually. “Keep doing that!”) but also why they sometimes purr when they’re injured and hurting.
Big cats that can purr, can not roar, and vice versa. The hyoid bone is the key, in cats that purr the hyoid is solid bone, in cats that roar the hyoid bone is mostly un-calcified cartlige.
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
Hobbes isn’t as fierce and ferocious as he likes to think he is.
Templo S.U.D. almost 5 years ago
the prosecution rests
alaskajohn1 almost 5 years ago
Hunger pangs. Watch out Calvin; don’t get too close.
RuinQueenofOblivion almost 5 years ago
While it is true that tigers don’t purr, I believe the Mountain Lion is the largest species of purring cat… something like that.
Bilan almost 5 years ago
Most big cats don’t purr because they don’t have someone to rub their tummy.
sirbadger almost 5 years ago
Cheetahs purr.
bigcatrik almost 5 years ago
The simple version is that a cat either roars (the big cats) or purrs (medium and smaller cats). Big cats can make a purring sound when exhaling but whether this is the same sound as a smaller cat’s purr (which sounds while the cat inhales and exhales and depends on a certain type of anatomy) or just sounds like a purr is still up for debate.
codycab almost 5 years ago
Calvin could be a zoologist.
jpayne4040 almost 5 years ago
Calvin, you might want to learn which growl is the friendly-like one, and which one is not!
Red33410 almost 5 years ago
We never purr.
Alexander the Good Enough almost 5 years ago
Apparently, purring is how a cat solicits attention. That’s why they purr when petted (Usually. “Keep doing that!”) but also why they sometimes purr when they’re injured and hurting.
Troglodyte almost 5 years ago
Hobbes said that on purr-pose.
Watcher almost 5 years ago
My cat gave up purring.
Technicholls almost 5 years ago
Calvin needs to read todays Arlo and Janis strip to Hobbes
WCraft Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Hunger
rentier almost 5 years ago
Or when you are hungry and you hear your stomach growl!!
marilynnbyerly almost 5 years ago
A big cat’s purr means run like heck away. It’s his hungry tummy thinking about how you will taste.
mizdurble almost 5 years ago
Our dog used to think the cat was growling when it was purring, so the dog growled back at it. A big misunderstanding.
Mediatech almost 5 years ago
Cats only purr when they are happy. Anyone close enough to hear a tiger purr would probably be inside the tiger.
Erwin Schwartz Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Big cats that can purr, can not roar, and vice versa. The hyoid bone is the key, in cats that purr the hyoid is solid bone, in cats that roar the hyoid bone is mostly un-calcified cartlige.
FrannieL Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Cheetahs purr. I don’t know about tigers. Do they purr?