Which big cat cannot roar?

Unlike other big cats, sounds that the cheetahs make are different. It can not roar, but can purr, bleat, hiss, chirp and growl. These sounds can be heard from a mile away. Sounds can be described as “Nyam-Nyam” to feed the cubs, “Ihn-NHI” mothers use to call their young, “purr” like a cat in the house when its playing with cubs, and bleating when in distress. The cheetah can not roar, as it has a single bone of the thyroid in the throat, unlike the lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar that have two and may be able to roar.

More Info: cheetah-facts.com

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46 Comments

Martha Prefontaine

Hyoid bone not Thyroid. Don’t think the thyroid has bones. It’s a gland.

Richard Hoff

I may not know the definition of Roar or Large cat , but i do know that from 10ft a cougar is a very Large cat with a very loud something( i would have called it a roar but a wasn't about to stand around and ask it what kind of noise it makes.

carole winslow

Martha, thank you for correcting the answer to hyoid bone. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the metabolism and has nothing to do with the ability to roar.

Janine King

Cheetahs definitely do purr! I had the opportunity of patting one at the National zoo and was surprised to hear her rumbling purr as I stoked her. They were beautiful.

ttone

Martha Prefontaine, well they do idoit

Player

"Big Cats" are the Panthera genus - leopard, lion, jaguar, tiger & snow leopard (people always forget this one). Cheetah are lesser big cats and are closer related to the puma & lynx.