Do servals purr? Yes, they do purr. But don’t expect a purr that sounds exactly like the purr of a domestic cat. It is deeper and richer. Other sounds that they make are: growl, hiss, wah wah call and “a curious ‘swallowed meow’ that seems to signify friendly recognition”. The serval also has a high-pitched chirp according to Wikipedia.
References:
- Peters G. 1981. Das schnurren de katzen (Felidae). Saugetierk. Mitt 40: 30-37
- Peters G. 1984. On the structure of friendly close range vocalisations in terrestrial carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae). Z. Saugetierk. 49: 157-182.
- Peters G., and M.H. Hast. 1994. Hyoid structure, laryngeal anatomy, and vocalisation in felids (Mammalia: Carnviora: Felidae. Z. Saugetierk. 59: 87-104.
- Peters G. 1987. Accoustic communication in the genus lynx (Mammalia: Felidae): Comparative survey and phylogenetic interpretation. Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 38: 315-330
