Tigers may be just big cats, but they sure don’t sound like your little kitty at home!

Tigers are most well-known for their loud, powerful roar. Like other big cats in the wild, tigers roar to defend their territory or get the attention of other tigers. Hearing a tiger roar is special and impressive, but don’t forget that tigers make other sounds too! While tigers don’t purr like housecats (or some big cats like cougars), they do make a unique sound called a chuff to communicate friendliness or pleasure. If threatened or feeling aggressive, tigers also growl, snarl or hiss. But perhaps the most unique vocalization of tigers is a sound called the 'pook' which is believed to be the tiger's attempt to mimic its prey (such as deer) in order to locate or attract it.