Do lions purr?

Asked by: Kamila Magomedova (aged 13)

Helen Pilcher

Lions can make gurgling noises that sound purr-like, but opinion is divided as to whether these are true purrs. True purrs, as practised by domestic cats, occur on both the ‘in’ and ‘out’ breath, and are produced when a solid bone at the back of the throat – the hyoid – resonates.

Lion gurgles, in contrast, are made only on exhalation, and the animals have a flexible hyoid bone that prevents them from purring properly. Purr-dantic? Maybe, but it’s a big deal if you’re a big cat!

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Science writer, presenter and performer.

Helen Pilcher is a tea-drinking, biscuit-nibbling science and comedy writer, with a PhD in cell biology. She contributes regularly to BBC Wildlife and BBC Science Focus, and has penned many popular science books. Life Changing: How Humans are Altering Life on Earth was The Times 2020 Science Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation. Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-extinction was Radio 2’s Fact Not Fiction Book of the Week, and was described by comedian Sara Pasco as ‘science at its funniest.’ In other news, Helen is science advisor to the Beano, and owns a genetically-modified wolf called Higgs. Her favourite bird is the kakapo, her favourite moth is the Merveille du Jour and her favourite beverage is a warm, milky brew; no sugar.

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