Why Do Cats Hiss Like Snakes

Researchers believe that cats use an instinctive and effective method of self defense called mimicry which has evolved over the ages and across species.

Why do cats hiss like snakes. December 13 2015 at 223 am. Mimicking another species is a survival tactic among animals. Along with hissing cats may let out a guttural growling sound when feeling especially defensive.

The intention of the hissing cat is to cause his or her attacker to hesitate because of a predators instinctive fear of snakes. Because a hissing cat does sound like a snake. This shows that the cat will attack the opponent if it doesnt leave.

So what does a cat hiss mean. Perhaps cats are taking advantage of this connection of the hiss with fear. Why do cats hiss.

Cats see snakes as threats. The answer comes from Desmond Morris a well known British zoologist. The hissing is more frequently observed among the un-neutered cats.

It will hiss scratch and bite to defend itself against the snake even if the snake isnt attacking but is being defensive too. The sound will occur as the air is forced into the airway that is constricted in their throat. The distinctive hissing sound of a snake scares most species and ancient cats may have turned their fear of snakes into a learning opportunity.

Aggression Growling in Cats Cats hiss at people to communicate pain fear displeasure or aggression. This imitation called mimicry in the animal world is often used for survival. A snakes deadly distinctive noise gets hair-raising notice from most species from humans to horses and everything in between.