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“A Great Surprise”: Scientists Stunned After Discovering How Cats Purr
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“A Great Surprise”: Scientists Stunned After Discovering How Cats Purr

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If you’re a cat lover, you know that one of the most relaxing sounds is your feline friend producing a soft, vibrating noise as you stroke them on your lap. Up until today, the mechanism behind domestic cats’ characteristic purring sounds remained unknown.

A new study published in the journal Current Biology has finally revealed the mystery of how cats emit their soothing low-frequency sounds. The investigation found that cats have “pads” embedded in their vocal cords, which add an extra layer of tissue that allows them to generate low-frequency vocalizations.

Additionally, the study revealed that the larynx or “voice box” doesn’t need any input from the brain to produce these sounds.

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    Image credits: BGStock72

    Image credits: photocreo

    “Purring has historically had a complex, nonscientific explanation,” said Bonnie Beaver, a veterinary scientist at Texas A&M University. As she explained, theories devised in the past to explain this phenomenon weren’t actually tested.

    The vibrating domestic cat noises have long puzzled scientists given that the low frequency at which they are produced—between 20 and 30 hertz (Hz)—is usually only observed in larger mammals with longer vocal cords, like elephants.

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    The sound frequencies are “far below even than lowest bass sounds produced by human voices,” study co-author Christian Herbs said.

    The low-frequency sounds—between 20 and 30 hertz (Hz)—involved in purring are typically only observed in larger mammals, like elephants

    Image credits: alexandrabeganskaya

    To conduct their investigation, scientists removed the larynges from eight domestic cats that had been euthanized because of terminal disease. The studies were carried out with the full consent of their owners.

    Investigators isolated the felines’ larynxes, pinched the vocal cords together, and pumped warm air through them. After all eight larynxes vibrated, they discovered that the sound was produced without any muscle contractions or neural input.

    Just like meowing and hissing, purring is a passive phenomenon that occurs automatically.

    The investigation has also revealed that purring occurs without muscle contractions or brain input

    Image credits: nina_p_v

    This challenged previous theories that held that purring occurred when cats actively contracted and relaxed their laryngeal muscles to emit their vibrating noise.

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    The researchers behind the study, who work at the University of Vienna, described their findings as a “great surprise” and a “clear indicator” that the phenomenon needs further research.

    Cat lovers shared their thoughts on the exciting new findings

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or watching a docuseries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or watching a docuseries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

    Gabija Palšytė

    Gabija Palšytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

    Read less »

    Gabija Palšytė

    Gabija Palšytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

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    Cathy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? What was that all about? I wonder what these people are doing to save the planet...

    Load More Replies...
    Iron Penguin
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that no neural input is required to purr seems self evident. I loved my recently departed Sweet Pea, but the fuzzy little monster didn't *have* any neurons.

    Load More Comments
    Cathy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? What was that all about? I wonder what these people are doing to save the planet...

    Load More Replies...
    Iron Penguin
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that no neural input is required to purr seems self evident. I loved my recently departed Sweet Pea, but the fuzzy little monster didn't *have* any neurons.

    Load More Comments
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