Scientists have found that hissing is the most common warning sound among vertebrates and is used by animals regardless of their species or body size. Cats, snakes, and geese all produce the sound in a similar way: they force air through narrowed respiratory passages.
In snakes, the hiss is created by air moving through the glottis. Cats produce the sound by exhaling through constricted airways, while geese push air through their beaks. Even some insects, like the Madagascar hissing cockroach, are capable of making a similar sound using their spiracles.
The primary function of a hiss is defense. It helps animals to deter a potential threat and to appear larger. Scientists also suggest that cats may have evolved hissing as a way to mimic snakes, with which they often share habitats.
According to research, the common ancestor of cats and snakes lived about 300 million years ago. Their similar hissing mechanisms developed independently, demonstrating a surprising convergence in defensive strategies among different species.
Hissing not only repels enemies but also increases a snake’s metabolism and contributes to water loss, making the process energy-intensive yet vital for survival.
