What sounds does a tiger make?

Answer 1

Tigers make lots of sounds. They growl, snarl, roar, whoof, meow, chuff, and they also do something called pooking.

Pooking is a loud, clear, flat call, which some people think is the tiger's attempt to mimic a type of deer that is often the tiger's prey. They think the tiger makes this sound to try to fool the deer into thinking that one of its own is close by, when really, it's a tiger in disguise.

Tigers cannot purr, but instead they make a chuffing sound where they force the air out of their nose. This is also called prusten. Folks who study tigers do recognize chuffing as an expression of friendliness. Adult tigers will chuff in a greeting to other adult tigers, if they do not sense their territory or food is being threatened, or they will make the chuffing sound to their cubs. A tiger will also sometimes make this sound at the sight of people bringing food for it to eat.

The word prusten is German for "sneeze" or "snorting in laughter." I don't think that matches exactly with the sound the tiger makes, but I suppose it's the thing we naturally do that comes closest. People can mimic this sound by exhaling air in a rush over the lips, like a forceful "f" sound, while at the same time rolling the tongue against the roof of the mouth. If you make this sound to a tiger in the zoo, the tiger might chuff back at you.

Answer 2

Tigers can roar, growl, hiss, and chuff. Roaring is a common vocalization used as a way of communication, while growling may signal aggression or irritation. Hissing is usually a sign of distress, and chuffing functions as a form of greeting or reassurance between tigers.

Answer 3

Roar!