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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: chester on 23/08/2009 12:25:07

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: chester on 23/08/2009 12:25:07

 [:o] [:o)] [:D] [;)] [:)] [^] [8)] [:0]

Chester here,

Did you all know that the purring of cats is in itself metaphysics at its best?

Did you know that cats predict, evaluate dangers, and their whole sense of 'self' is their essence and cuteness?

Metaphysics, an interesting topic indeed, an infinite scope between nature, humans and animals. The cat's purr is not just a purr, it is metaphysics at its best, so just listen.

Lana Hill

[ MOD EDIT - PLEASE PHRASE YOUR POST TITLES AS QUESTIONS, IN LINE WITH FORUM POLICY; THANKS - CHRIS]

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 23/08/2009 12:56:23

huh? [???]

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: chester on 23/08/2009 13:33:50

Thanks Chris, for the advice.  Will do better next time

Lana Hill [::)]

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: neilep on 23/08/2009 17:23:51

I don't know why they purr...I'm just glad they do...cos it's luffley !!

Though I did hear once that cats can also purr when they are in pain !...

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: JnA on 24/08/2009 02:26:51

I once read that big cats *don't* purr.. can't.. just don't have the physiology.

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: Karen W. on 24/08/2009 08:10:01

yes, we have a thread here about just that thing!

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6854.0

Then this one on purring:
This may have been asked before but why/how do cats purr? by paul.fr

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Unlike other cat noises, purring occurs during the entire breathing cycle—inhale and exhale. A meow, on the other hand, is done only during exhalation.

Scientists are still puzzled over the exact mechanism of purring. But the most accepted idea is that a region of the cat’s brain signals the muscles that make up its voice box, called the laryngeal muscles, to vibrate.

Simultaneously,  Mr. Fluffy is inhaling and exhaling, sending a stream of air through the vocal cords. Together these two actions cause the vocal cords to vibrate, creating one feline factor that pleases many humans and makes dog lovers of the rest.

Quote

THEN SEE this on purring etc..

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=12558.0

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: AllenG on 24/08/2009 22:00:23

Quote from: JnA on 24/08/2009 02:26:51

I once read that big cats *don't* purr.. can't.. just don't have the physiology.

I think the cheetah is the largest of the purring cats.


My father says that cats purr because if they didn't they would be considered varmints and one would call pest control when they showed up.

Title: Why do cats purr?
Post by: that mad man on 25/08/2009 16:31:59

I recently read a BBC article about a university study on this. It suggests that they purr to gain attention from their owners.

Got it..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8147566.stm

Not sure if I want to stoke a Cheetah though. [:0]