Cougars are the second largest cats in the Americas behind the jaguar. Small cats are unable to roar but are capable of purring. Cougars purr 20 times louder than your average domestic cat. They have an odd high-pitched wail that can be heard a mile away. Along with the usual growls and hisses, cougars cheep, chirp, peep, cough and whistle.
Cougars also use body language to communicate.
An agitated cougar opens its mouth wide, shows its teeth and wrinkles its nose. Ears held halfway down are a warning sign. An impending attack is demonstrated by the flattening of the ears against the head and the body poised to leap. They show contentment by holding their ears erect. When their ears are moving in all directions with rapidly changing facial expressions, cougars are considered to be confused or frustrated.