Big cats can tell apart known and unknown human voices, study finds

Tigers, cheetahs and snow leopards, like domesticated cats, respond differently to familiar and unfamiliar voices

From tigers to cheetahs, big cats may seem majestically aloof but researchers have found they can tell apart familiar and unfamiliar human voices, suggesting that even animals that shun group living are far from socially inept.

While cats are often portrayed as somewhat standoffish, researchers have previously found that domesticated felines can tell apart the voice of their owner from that of other humans.