Cats
When we think of cats we tend to have moggies on the mind, or maybe if we are getting exotic a lion or a tiger, but there are 37 species of cat in total. Cats are widespread and are found natively on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
As well as purring when happy, a domestic cat will purr when injured or unwell.
There can be no denying that we love our cats, and archaeological evidence suggests that this close relationship began over 9000 years ago.
Cute factor – Purr
Cats are well known for the sounds that they make. Although four of the big cats, lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards roar, most species of cat purr and scientists think there might be some secret super powers under the rumble.
As well as purring when happy, a domestic cat will purr when injured or unwell. What’s interesting is that sounds in the same frequency range as a cat’s purr, between 25 and 150 hertz, have been found to stimulate muscle and promote healing. Scientists think that the cat’s purr might have evolved as a form of low energy self-healing.
Cats have also developed a different purr for a very special purpose. One purr used by the domestic cat matches the frequency of a human babies wail. These pampered pussycats have found a way to push our buttons with a high pitched purr.
