MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Subject: How Does A Cat Purr, Which Cats Purr, and What Does It Mean?

Date: Thu Apr 4 11:31:56 1996
Posted by: Ron Trueworthy
Grade level:
School/Organization: No school given.
City: No city given. State/Province: No state given.
Country: No country given.
Area of science: Zoology
Message:
I think I heard that a cat (I'm thinking of a pet housecat) purrs by vibrating

its vena cava (not by vocalizing). I don't understand how this would be

possible ...



Related questions are: Can only certain members of the cat family purr? Which?



Why can cats purr -- that is, does it serve some function other than

communicating contentment (assuming it DOES communicate that!).



-- Thanks, Ron  <crtruewo@mail.opm.gov>


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