Latest news with #purring
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Are cats the only animals that purr?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There's plenty of things to love about cats, and purring is definitely one of them. Cat owners can always tell when their pet is happy from their low, contented hums. But do any other animals purr? The answer depends on how exactly you define "purr," said Jonathan Losos, a professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis and author of "The Cat's Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa" (Viking, 2023) "If the question is, 'what animals purr,' I would respond by, 'what do you mean by purr?'," Losos told Live Science. The first important component of a purr is its context. Cats are known to purr when they're happy, but they can also purr when they're stressed or in pain. Cats start purring shortly after birth, and both mothers and kittens often purr while locating each other and during nursing. The second component of a purr is its physical mechanism. Scientists still don't fully understand how cats purr, but an important feature of purring is vibration of the larynx, the structure in the throat known as the voice box in humans. Unlike most other animal vocalizations, which happen only during exhalation, purrs happen continuously as the cat breathes in and out. "It's very constant, and that's really one of the signatures of a cat purring," Losos explained. Related: Why do cats purr? That continuous sound makes felines unique in their ability to purr. Domestic cats (Felis catus), however, aren't the only cat species that purr — wild cats such as cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), cougars (Puma concolor), servals (Leptailurus serval) and bobcats (Lynx rufus) can all purr, too. Some scientists think that instead of categorizing different species as "big" or "small" cats, it's actually more accurate to classify cats as "purring" or "roaring." Lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), jaguars (Panthera onca) and leopards (Panthera pardus) can't purr, but they can roar, likely due to the anatomy of a structure in their throat called the hyoid. Outside of the cat family tree, though, continuous purring vocalizations are very rare. The only other animal that's known to purr during inhalation and exhalation is a distant cousin of cats called a genet (genus Genetta). "They are delightful little animals," Losos said. He described their appearance as a cross between a cat and a mongoose, with long, pointed noses and slender bodies. There are at least two species of genets that are known to purr, Losos said, although it's possible there are more whose purrs haven't been documented by researchers yet. True purring is unique to cats and genets. But with a looser definition of purring that doesn't focus on the continuous vibration during both inhalation and exhalation, there are many species across the animal kingdom that also make buzzing, rumbly noises, often in similar contexts to cat purring. Raccoons (Procyon lotor), for example, "purr" when they're happy and relaxed, usually when babies are with their mothers. Suzanne MacDonald, a professor of psychology at York University who regularly works with raccoons, even witnessed an orphaned baby raccoon "purr" while she hand-fed it. "They don't sound exactly like cats purring, but pretty close!" MacDonald told Live Science in an email. "When you hear it, you know you're doing something right." There's not much research on raccoon "purring," but MacDonald believes the sound comes from a combination of a raccoon vocalization called a chitter and excess saliva from the raccoons being very relaxed — a very different mechanism to how felines purr. Many other mammals make vibrating noises to express comfort. For example, some rabbit owners report their pets rapidly chatter their teeth together when they're relaxed, creating a vibrating sound similar to a purr. Bats can "purr" when being held by a trusted human, one bat expert told The Irish Times. And researchers have noted that when mother and kit gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are together, they make a purring-like sound called a "muk-muk." RELATED MYSTERIES —Why do cats have 'toe beans'? —Why do cats 'chatter'? —How do cats get their spots? Some animals that "purr" aren't even mammals. Take wolf spiders (Gladicosa gulosa), which, when attracting potential mates, strike specialized body parts against each other to make a purring sound, similar to how crickets create their chirps. While many animals do make noises that share some resemblance to cat purrs, there's still a lot of questions. Because many animals make these vibrating noises when they're relaxed, it's a difficult behavior to study, because the presence of human researchers can inherently stress animals out. But one thing is clear: By the strict definition of purring, cats really are special.
Free Malaysia Today
16-06-2025
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
Have cats genetically evolved to better communicate with humans?
Domestic cats have developed genetic variants that favour vocal communication with humans. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Despite their close relationship with humans, many aspects of cat behaviour remain impenetrable. Japanese researchers have now shed some light on one of the most intriguing mysteries by uncovering the genetic mechanism behind purring. A team at Kyoto University's Wildlife Research Centre studied 280 mixed-breed cats living in Japanese homes. By analysing their DNA samples and comparing them to those of 11 other feline species, they were able to establish for the first time a direct genetic link between purring and a variation in the androgen receptor gene. As it turns out, cats carrying the short version of the androgen receptor gene score higher on purring scales, as assessed by their owners, than those with the long version. This genetic difference is not only linked to simple purring: it is also associated with gender-specific behaviour. Males with the short gene vocalise more towards humans, while females with the same genetic profile display more aggression towards strangers. These discoveries take on a fascinating dimension when placed in the context of feline evolution, in that comparative analysis with other feline species reveals a genetic transformation directly linked to domestication. While the leopard cat and the fishing cat – species closely related to the domestic cat – only have the short version of the gene, domestic cats have long variants that are completely absent in their wild cousins. This observation suggests that the emergence of these long versions is the result of profound genetic changes that accompanied domestication and artificial selection over thousands of years. The ability to predict certain behavioral tendencies based on genetic data could allow for observation and care tailored to the specific needs of each cat. (Envato Elements pic) Published in the scientific journal PLOS One, this study also highlights the differences between purebred and mixed-breed cats. The former, often raised by humans from an early age, are more likely to carry the long version of the gene and seem to have less developed vocal communication skills. Conversely, mixed-breed cats in the study, many of which were former stray cats that had been rescued, tended to meow more. They are more likely to have the genetic variant that promotes vocalisation, as if they had developed more intense communication strategies to survive and get adopted. This genetic understanding of feline behaviour isn't just about satisfying our scientific curiosity about our beloved furry friends. The ability to predict certain behavioral tendencies based on genetic data could allow for targeted observation and care tailored to the specific needs of each cat. The Kyoto team plans to extend its investigations to other feline species to further our understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind various behavioral patterns. The goal remains clear: to enrich our knowledge about cats and help build more harmonious relationships between humans and these animals.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists discover mystery genes behind a cat's purr and behaviour
A new study from Kyoto University suggests that cats with a gene type associated with mixed breeds may purr more at their human companions. The study, published in PLoS One, assessed the behavior of 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats and analyzed their DNA, focusing on the androgen receptor gene. Researchers found that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene showed higher owner-assessed purring, while male cats with this gene exhibited higher vocalization towards humans. Female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression, and mixed-breed cats and rescues tended to meow more, contrasting with pure-breed cats who are more likely to carry the long-type gene. The findings suggest that longer androgen receptor genes in domestic cats may have emerged due to domestication and selective breeding, potentially helping predict house cat behavioral tendencies and enhance feline care.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Why some cats purr more than others finally decoded
Cats with a gene type associated with mixed breeds may purr more at their human companions than those without, according to a new study. The findings shed more light on the genetic basis of purring and communication in cats, say researchers from Kyoto University in Japan. Domesticated cats are social animals that communicate with other felines and humans. One way in which cats express themselves is through soft purrs, produced by a special mechanism in the vocal folds within the larynx. The purring sounds are made by relaxation of muscles in the vocal folds that require constant control from the brain via nerves. Some studies suggest that since kittens are born blind and deaf, they use purring vibration to communicate with their mother and littermates. While previous research indicates that purring may have evolved as a beneficial trait for feline communication, its exact function remains unclear. The latest study, published in the journal PLoS One, conducted a behaviour assessment of 280 cats, which were spayed or neutered mixed breeds kept in their owners' homes. Researchers collected DNA samples and analysed specifically the androgen receptor gene, comparing this to its version in other feline species. "When we called for participants, we were moved to receive responses from 265 cat owners from across Japan in just a single day, and received kind messages,' Yume Okamoto, first author of the study, said. The findings strongly point to a genetic basis for both purring and vocal communication in cats. Scientists found that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene seemed to show higher owner-assessed purring than those with the long-type gene. Male cats with the short-type gene exhibited higher vocalisation towards humans, indicating the gene's connection to vocal communication, according to the study. In comparison, female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression. The results indicate that there is less importance of vocal communication in cats raised by humans since kittenhood, which mostly happen to be pure-breed cats. On the contrary, many mixed-breed cats and rescues included in the study tended to meow more. This is in line with previous findings that pure-breed cats are more likely to carry the long-type gene than mixed-breed cats. Among wild feline species closely related to domesticated cats, the leopard cat and the fishing cat both possess only the short-type gene. In comparison, domestic cats have longer androgen receptor gene types that are not found in the other species. Overall, the findings suggest the emergence of these longer genes may have resulted from changes associated with domestication and selective breeding. Researchers hope the results can help predict house cat behavioural tendencies and facilitate enhanced care to help improve animal welfare. "Through our research, we hope to deepen our understanding of cats and contribute to building happier relationships between cats and humans," Dr Okamoto said.
