What sound do pumas make instead of roaring?

What sound do pumas make instead of roaring? Pumas purr rather than roar.

Pumas, also called cougars or mountain lions, belong to the cat subfamily Felinae. Unlike roaring cats such as lions, tigers and leopards, they do not have the specialized anatomy needed to produce a true roar. They can make several other vocalizations, including hisses, growls, screams and chirps, but purring is the characteristic sound highlighted in this comparison.

A puma’s purr is possible because its larynx and hyoid structures differ from those of the large roaring cats. Purring is not limited to moments of contentment: cats may also purr during social contact, when nursing, or in stressful situations. Pumas may vocalize particularly during mating and interactions between mothers and kittens.

The wording can cause confusion because “purr” is not the only noise a puma can make. “Growl” and “hiss” are also genuine puma vocalizations, but they are not the standard answer to the question of what replaces a roar. Among the listed choices, purr is the canonical distinction.