Prusten
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prusten is a sound made by the tiger, also known as chuffing. It is a low-frequency equivalent to the purring found in domesticated cats. The tiger's mouth is closed and it blows through the nostrils, producing a breathy snort. This sound is non-threatening and often used when two tigers encounter each other on neutral territory, or between courting pairs. Mother tigers use it to their cubs as a form of reassurance. It has been known for tigers held in captivity to use this sound to keepers. Prusten is a German word. It means to sneeze or snort.
[edit] Sources
- http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/Tiger3a.wav
- http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/Tiger/commtiger.html
- Gustav Peters and Barbara A. Tonkin-Leyhausen: Evolution of Acoustic Communication Signals of Mammals: Friendly Close-Range Vocalizations in Felidae (Carnivora) [1] Journal of Mammalian Evolution Volume 6, Number 2 / June, 1999 pp129-159

