How cats purr
Open Access
- 1 January 1991
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Zoology
- Vol. 223 (1) , 67-78
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1991.tb04749.x
Abstract
We measured purring in unrestrained intact pumas, cheetahs and domestic cats. Domestic cats,Felis silvestrisf.catus, purr at a frequency of 26·3 ±; 1·95 (S.D.) Hz. The frequency at mid‐expiration exceeds that at mid‐inspiration by 2·4 ± 1·3 Hz. Purring frequency for individuals does not change with age. Purring can occur simultaneously with other vocalization. Two‐channel acoustic measurements confirm that the primary mechanism for sound and vibration production is a centrally driven laryngeal modulation of respiratory flow. The diaphragm and other muscles appear to be unnecessary for purring other than to drive respiration.Keywords
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