How do cats purr?

Discussion in 'Cat Chat' started by Jessi, Sep 13, 2012.

  1. Jessi

    Jessi Well-Known Member

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    Apparently, it's more complicated than even scientists knew:

    http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/138725

    They used to think it was the sound of blood surging through cats' inferior vena cava, but now they're saying that it's actually produced by the layrngeal muscles. I swear the rest of the article breaks it down into English, though. :p
     
    Jessi, Sep 13, 2012
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    Becky likes this.
  2. Jessi

    Scottyxx Well-Known Member

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    Ive read that it is an enigma! No one is for sure what it is or why they do it!

    My littlest kitty, I think he has some sort of learning difficulty if thats a thing in cats, couldn't work out how to pur! It was so cute, she would like choke and wheeze....

    She finally worked it out though, only took her a year!
     
    Scottyxx, Sep 14, 2012
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  3. Jessi

    Becky Well-Known Member

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    Interesting article!
     
    Becky, Sep 19, 2012
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  4. Jessi

    ACSAPA Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for sharing that article. It's amazing how many different sounds cats can produce with one larynx. Cats are really expressive even though they can't talk.
     
    ACSAPA, Sep 25, 2012
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  5. Jessi

    OhioTom76 Well-Known Member

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    There is something so strangely calming when a cat is all up in your face and purring like that. It's almost hypnotic.
     
    OhioTom76, Oct 20, 2012
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