Scientists Discover How Cats Produce Purring Sound Similar to Croaky Voice of Singers
Scientists have finally unraveled the mystery behind how cats produce the purring sound that indicates their contentment. Surprisingly, the mechanism used by felines is remarkably similar to the vocal fry technique employed by famous singers like Katy Perry and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Researchers have long been perplexed by how such a small animal like a domestic cat can generate the deep resonance of a purr, typically associated with animals possessing much longer vocal cords, such as elephants. Previously, scientists believed that purring involved a unique mechanism that required constant neural input from the brain, involving the cyclical contraction and relaxation of muscles in the voice box.
However, it turns out that producing a purr requires less effort than previously thought. Led by Dr. Christian Herbst at the University of Vienna in Austria, scientists conducted experiments on the voice boxes of eight cats, all of whom had been put down due to terminal disease, with consent from their owners. The researchers pinched the animals’ vocal cords and pumped humid air through them, simulating the mechanism used by humans to speak and produce vocal fry. This action resulted in self-sustained oscillations or purrs from all of the cats, suggesting that purring does not require continuous input from the brain.
Further investigation revealed the presence of fibrous tissue masses embedded in the vocal cords of the cats. Dr. Herbst explained, “This may explain how such a small animal, weighing only a few kilograms, can produce sounds at those incredibly low frequencies, far below even the lowest bass sounds produced by human voices.” The research findings were recently published in Current Biology.
Similar structures have also been discovered in roaring cats like lions and tigers, further supporting the theory proposed by the study.
Previously, the prevailing theory suggested that cats employed a mechanism that appeared to be unique in the animal kingdom. In this mechanism, the cat’s brain rapidly and continuously sent signals to the muscles in its throat, causing them to contract 30 times per second, resulting in a purring sound.
The research now posits vocal fry as an alternative explanation. Vocal fry is the lowest tone that humans can produce, giving the effect of croaky speech.
This new discovery sheds light on the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed cats to produce their characteristic purring sound. By understanding this mechanism, scientists may gain further insights into feline communication and behavior.
In the future, this research may have implications for veterinary medicine, enabling veterinarians to better understand and monitor the health and well-being of cats based on their purring patterns.