Quote:
Originally Posted by SunGrins
While primitive camping in the Ozarks -- I woke up in my tent to the sound of purring -- loud enough to get my attention and wake me up. I didn't move or poke my head out to see what it was. I think Bobcats purr and assumed that's what it was. Do Mountain Lions purr? Maybe he was saying grace before eating?
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Bobcats sure purr. I knew a guy who had one, and hear it purr many times. The sound was deeper and louder than the purring of a domestic cat, so I think you're probably right in your thinking that's what the cat you heard was.
I've had several close encounters with bobcats, and it's good that you didn't stick your head out of the tent and surprise it; if given the opportunity, a bobcat will take the road and won't pick a fight with a human, but if they are surprised or feel cornered they will, and they are muscular, hard fighters who can lick a big tough dog.
I would suppose the mountain lions purr, too. And probably the other large cats as well. Purring in a wild cat would probably mean they're satisfied, like when they are eating, but it wouldn't be a sign they are happy to have human company I'm sure.