Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 01:27:42

Title: This may have been asked before but why/how do cats purr?
Post by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 01:27:42

Just wondring cuzz I hear alot of purring cats

Title: This may have been asked before but why/how do cats purr?
Post by: paul.fr on 21/01/2008 08:32:16

These may or may not be related to your question.

Do all cats purr (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6854.0)

Panacea...fact or fable (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=686.msg5343#msg5343)

  Why does it give so much pleasure to stroke a cat? (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=727.0)

Title: This may have been asked before but why/how do cats purr?
Post by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 12:10:55

Yess that seems to work. Sorry I didn't go look them up first Paul, well I tried and I can't ever get it to work!

Title: This may have been asked before but why/how do cats purr?
Post by: opus on 21/01/2008 21:51:11

Stroking a cat has been shown to lower the blood pressure..

Title: This may have been asked before but why/how do cats purr?
Post by: Vcoolspice on 30/01/2008 15:32:08

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.