Hi Sandusky,

I was watching "Growing up Cheetah" recently, and they said that cheetahs are the only big cats that purr.  I certainly could hear the cheetahs on that show purr loudly!  I wondered though about the whole big cat - small cat classification.  I've hears that cougars are considered small cats because they purr.  Are cheetahs really bigger than cougars?  Since they both purr, I don't understand how they get into different classifications.

I know that the experts probably don't ask the cats themselves for their evaluation of big and small cats, but I'm interested in your take on this.  Seems kind of odd to me.

I've also heard a leopard make a kind of a purr-growl noise, sort of on exhales, that sounded more like a friendly gentle growl.  Maybe that's not a real purr?

Thanks,

And by the way, Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had a great day yesterday.  I've been snowed in, more or less, so we're going to celebrate Christmas on Sunday, when it should thaw.

I'll field this one, since Sandusky doesn't really have access to a computer right now.  

Cheetahs and cougars most definitely purr.  None of the other "big cats" do so.

Tigers will "chuff", which is a friendly greeting.  I'm not sure if a leopard does something similar or not, but I wouldn't doubt it.  I haven't worked with leopards, but I have exchanged chuffs with tigers in zoos before and can usually get one to come visit me from a good distance away (even though I don't feel I do a very good chuff).  See the video below to see what I'm talking about with regards to chuffing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPs-SGljmdU&NR=1

As for big cat versus small cat, there is no firm definition.  If you go by ability to roar, then it's only the leopard, tiger, lion, and jaguar.  However, the cougar is a bigger cat than the leopard (and the cheetah for that matter).  Personally, I put cougars, cheetahs, clouded leopards, and snow leopards into the big cats category along with tigers, lions, leopards, and jaguars.  To be honest, even Eurasian Lynxes are often heavier cats than cheetahs (though cheetahs are certainly taller and longer).

Merry Christmas to you, as well!

I don't know that they qualify as a "big" cat, but I can tell you from personal experience that Caracals (desert lynx) can purr as well. I discovered this while petting one at a neat little wildlife park on the Oregon coast.

It wasn't very loud in the audible sense, but it was strong. I could feel his sides vibrating with the force of it! Guess I got him on a good day.  

Happy travels.

a lot of books and even documentaries don't provide accurate information.  I go with the sources that have pictures and anatomical diagrams as well as personal experience.  Also cougars purr like a motor boat.  :3

Cougars purr, I can personally attest to it.