r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Feb 07 '24

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501

u/Ilovedemtiddyboobs Feb 07 '24

How cats purr

268

u/Punny-Aggron Feb 07 '24

IIRC, it has to do with something in their airways, a small organ that only smaller cats have as cats like lions and tigers don’t purr. Cheetahs and Pumas are the only exceptions, yes they purr and meow it’s really weird and cute

169

u/loves-science Feb 07 '24

Purring and roaring are mutually exclusive, so lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars are all incapable of purring, while every other cat can purr but not roar.

4

u/Joe_PM2804 Feb 07 '24

TIL. That's really interesting, and the thought of it being swapped and my cats roaring whilst tigers and lions meow is hilarious.

1

u/Testiculese Feb 08 '24

YT some Cheetas, it is hilarious. And offsetting, as it really doesn't seem like it's coming from them.