Cheetahs possess a diverse array of vocalizations that set them apart from many other large felines. Their communication repertoire offers unique insight into their behaviors and social interactions. Unlike the powerful roars associated with some big cats, cheetahs communicate through a fascinating collection of distinct sounds. These vocalizations play a central role in their daily lives, aiding in cub rearing and expressing emotions.
The Range of Cheetah Sounds
Cheetahs produce a variety of sounds, each with its own characteristics. Chirps often resemble a bird’s call, and they also emit purrs, which are low, continuous rumbles, similar to a domestic cat’s. Growls and hisses serve as forceful expressions. In addition, cheetahs can meow, akin to household cats, and produce explosive yelps that can be heard over long distances. Some vocalizations are described as stutters or trills.
The Meaning Behind Their Calls
The sounds cheetahs make convey specific messages depending on context. Chirping is primarily a communication tool between a mother cheetah and her cubs, used to signal location or call young, especially when gathering them quickly or when a potential threat is nearby. Purring generally indicates contentment or is used during social greetings or mutual grooming. Growls and hisses are warning signals, used when a cheetah feels threatened or displays aggression, and may accompany crouching or paw-hitting behaviors. Meows serve as a general form of communication, expressing attention, curiosity, fear, or contentment, while explosive yelps are desperate calls to locate lost family members, particularly cubs.
The Anatomy of a Cheetah’s Voice
The unique vocal abilities of cheetahs stem from their specialized anatomy. Unlike lions, tigers, and other roaring cats, cheetahs cannot roar. This difference is due to the structure of their hyoid bone, a small bone in the throat that supports the tongue and larynx. In cheetahs, the hyoid bone is fully ossified, meaning it is a fixed, rigid structure. This fixed structure prevents the larynx from moving to produce the deep, low-frequency vibrations characteristic of a roar. Conversely, roaring cats possess a hyoid apparatus that is partially flexible, often with elastic cartilage instead of a completely solid bone, and this flexibility allows their vocal folds to stretch, creating a larger resonating chamber for roaring. Because their vocal cords vibrate with both in- and out-breaths, cheetahs can purr continuously, and this anatomical distinction places them in the “purring cat” subfamily, alongside domestic cats.