Tiger is a magnificent beast with several noticeable features. Apart from their beautiful stripes, tigers are known for their thunderous vocalization.
So, do tigers roar? The answer is yes, they roar. They roar to communicate, threaten, scare, and show anger or pain. A tiger’s roar is distinctive and can be heard long distances.
But why do tigers roar, and what makes their sound so appalling compared to other big cats? Stay tuned to discover the roaring beast!
Do tigers roar?
Yes, tigers can roar. And their roars can have a paralyzing effect. But you won’t hear the tiger’s screeching sounds frequently. They only scream for a real reason, like threatening or causing fear to the enemy.
Most of the time, tigers purr, growl, chuff, hiss, and make other sounds from their repertoire. But when they roar, the situation is downright severe and dangerous.
How loud is a tiger’s roar?
The Tigers’ roar is way too loud than you can expect. You have heard the sound of a gas lawn mower. A tiger can be 25 times louder than that.
Tigers can reach up to 114 decibels with their high-pitch vocalization. It is enough to frighten a group of people and a swarm of beasts.
Why do tigers roar?
Tigers usually don’t roar without reason. There are several reasons why tigers roar. Here are some important ones:
- The common reason for big cats’ roar is to communicate with other tigers. Though, most tigers prefer living alone.
- Tigers roar to warn and intimidate any intruders trespassing their territories. It’s a kind of threat to other beasts of the area.
- Tigers sometimes roar to show pure aggression and anger. This is also done either to intimidate or as a defense mechanism.
- They also roar to demoralize the prey. In this case, the sound is made at the final moment of the hunt.
Can a tiger’s roar paralyze animals?
Yes, a tiger’s roar can paralyze some animals, including humans. Even though it cannot paralyze some animals, they would be intimidated and puzzled for a few seconds.
According to some research, the psychological effect of big cats’ roar can even paralyze expert trainers. But the truth is, this rarely happens. Their sound is not as loud as a Sperm-Whale. (Sperm whales are the loudest animals on earth).
Why can a tiger roar so loud?
Why do big cats roar so loud? The larynx of a tiger is dissimilar to a small cat. Moreover, big cats (except cheetahs) have flat, square-shaped vocal folds. These folds can stretch and shear more than usual.
What’s more, these felines have ligaments instead of voice boxes. And their vocal cords are broad and extensive.
They also have hyoid bones in their throats. This unique vocal structure gives tigers the necessary power to roar so loud.
Tiger roar vs lion roar
Both big cats have a fearsome reputation for their scary roaring. But do tigers roar louder than lions?
Well, a lion has one set of vocal cords that produce a massive 114 DB sound. And a tiger has two vocal lines, making around 110 DB sounds. A tiger’s sound is a bit grave rather than loud. So, a lion is louder than a tiger.
A lion’s roar can be heard from 5 miles whereas a tiger would reach only 2 miles. The lion’s sound ranges from 40-200 Hz, while the tiger’s roar ranges from 83-246 Hz.
Interestingly, a tiger has a higher frequency and, as a result, a grave voice. A lion’s roaring sound is a bit casual and light. And the tiger’s roaring is the scariest.
Experts have commented that lions live in open fields while tigers live in forests. This has probably made tigers less noisy than lions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which animals can roar?
Many mammals, including big cats, elephants, deer, bears, apes, etc., can roar. These animals have developed a deep vocal sound to communicate and threaten their adversaries.
Why can’t cheetahs roar?
The cheetah is also a big cat but cannot roar like a lion or a tiger. The voice box bone of a cheetah is similar to a small cat, and its vocal cords are divided. So they cannot roar.
What animal has the loudest roar?
Lions have the loudest roaring sound. But some reports claim elephants, wolves, or even hyenas can produce the loudest roars.
Conclusion
So, tigers can roar loudly than most of the cat family. Their ferocious roaring can disorientate larger mammals. It is not common to hear them scream for their reclusive nature. But if you listen, it would be a terrifying experience.
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