I recently saw a video of a mongoose purring just like a kitten, which was incredibly adorable. It made me wonder, are there other animals besides cats and mongooses that can purr?
Raccoons can purr too. It sounds more like a gentle rumbling as they breathe, but it’s very cute.
Laine said:
Raccoons can purr too. It sounds more like a gentle rumbling as they breathe, but it’s very cute.
Raccoons are definitely climbing my list of favorite animals. That sounds adorable!
My childhood bird learned to purr by mimicking our cat, who purred almost constantly. So birds can potentially purr too, given the right circumstances.
Chickens can purr when they’re content.
Guinea pigs also purr, particularly when they’re happy or content.
Hollis said:
Guinea pigs also purr, particularly when they’re happy or content.
It’s true, but it’s not exactly like a cat’s purr. It’s shorter and seems to be a way for them to communicate with each other, especially when navigating shared spaces.
Mongooses and cats may share a common ancestor, which could explain the purring. It’s fascinating how certain traits evolve!
Nori said:
Mongooses and cats may share a common ancestor, which could explain the purring. It’s fascinating how certain traits evolve!
That’s an intriguing possibility. Evolution never ceases to amaze!
@Milo
Some big cats like cougars and cheetahs can purr too, but lions and tigers can’t. Cheetahs even chirp like birds!
True said:
@Milo
Some big cats like cougars and cheetahs can purr too, but lions and tigers can’t. Cheetahs even chirp like birds!
Cougars are actually the largest purring cats. Big cats that roar have different throat structures that prevent them from purring.
Nori said:
Mongooses and cats may share a common ancestor, which could explain the purring. It’s fascinating how certain traits evolve!
I used to think weasels were related to felines because of their body shape.
@Kingsley
Actually, weasels are closer to dogs and bears, evolution-wise. Mongoose just resemble weasels due to convergent evolution.
Nori said:
Mongooses and cats may share a common ancestor, which could explain the purring. It’s fascinating how certain traits evolve!
Mongeese would be a fun plural, wouldn’t it?
Nori said:
Mongooses and cats may share a common ancestor, which could explain the purring. It’s fascinating how certain traits evolve!
Mongeese would be a fun plural, wouldn’t it?
Why is it called mongoose when it doesn’t look like a goose at all?
@Marlo
The name comes from the animal’s native term, adapted to sound more familiar in English.
I’ve heard of squirrels purring if they’ve been raised by cats.
Hadi said:
I’ve heard of squirrels purring if they’ve been raised by cats.
Actually, squirrels can purr naturally, not just when raised by cats.
Hadi said:
I’ve heard of squirrels purring if they’ve been raised by cats.
Actually, squirrels can purr naturally, not just when raised by cats.
I remember seeing something about this when I was younger.
I recently found out chickens can purr too, especially when being cuddled.