The term “big cat” often refers to the largest members of the Felidae family, but a more accurate, scientific distinction lies in the sounds they can produce. These predators possess a unique anatomical trade-off that dictates whether they can generate a sustained, deep roar or a continuous, rumbling purr. This difference in vocalization capability effectively divides the cat family into two major functional groups. The ability to make one sound generally precludes the ability to make the other.
The Divide: Which Big Cats Roar and Which Ones Purr
The roaring cats belong to the genus Panthera, which includes the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, and Jaguar. These four species are the only ones capable of producing a low-frequency roar, a sound designed to carry great distances for territorial marking and communication. A lion’s roar, for example, can reach volumes of up to 114 decibels and be heard from as far as five miles away.
The other large cat species are classified as purrers. This group includes the Cougar (also known as the Puma or Mountain Lion), the Cheetah, the Lynx, and the Ocelot. The Snow Leopard, though technically classified within the Panthera genus, is an exception, as it lacks the ability to produce a deep roar and instead makes chuffing and other limited vocalizations.
Purring cats create their characteristic sound during both inhalation and exhalation, resulting in a continuous, rhythmic vibration. Roaring cats cannot share this capability; they can only produce noise on the exhale. This difference is due to a fundamental structural variation in the vocal apparatus.
The Biology of Sound: Why Cats Can’t Do Both
The anatomical reason for this vocal trade-off centers on the hyoid apparatus, a small, U-shaped bone structure located near the base of the tongue and the larynx. This structure anchors the muscles that control sound production, and its flexibility determines the type of sound a cat can make.
In roaring cats—the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, and Jaguar—the hyoid bone is only partially ossified, meaning it is not fully hardened. A length of tough, elastic cartilage connects the hyoid to the skull instead of a complete bone. This flexibility allows the larynx to stretch, creating a larger resonating chamber and longer vocal cords necessary to produce the deep, low-frequency sound of a roar.
In contrast, purring cats, such as the Cougar and the domestic house cat, possess a fully rigid, ossified hyoid bone. This bony structure provides a stable, fixed point for the larynx muscles. This rigidity allows the vocal cords to vibrate rapidly and consistently as air passes over them during both inhalation and exhalation, defining the continuous purr.
The fixed nature of the hyoid in purring cats limits their vocalizations, preventing them from achieving a roar. Conversely, the flexible ligament in roaring cats prevents the rapid vibration needed to sustain a purr.
More Than Just Roars: Other Significant Big Cat Sounds
Beyond the roar and the purr, big cats employ various vocalizations for communication. Chuffing is a distinct, breathy snort made with the mouth closed, used as a non-aggressive greeting or sign of affection, often between a mother and her cubs. Cats that frequently chuff include:
- Tigers
- Jaguars
- Snow Leopards
- Clouded Leopards
Warning sounds are common across nearly all cat species and include hisses, snarls, and growls. These are short, guttural sounds produced to signal threat, displeasure, or to establish dominance over a claim, such as food. The Cheetah, a purring cat, has a unique vocal repertoire that includes a high-pitched chirp or meow. This sound can be bird-like and is used for locating other cheetahs or signaling distress. Lions, which cannot purr, sometimes emit a low moan or groan during social bonding, serving as a quieter form of communication than their roar.