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Why do female cats make loud mating calls?

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Female cats, often referred to as queens, make loud, long yowls known as caterwauling when they are in heat (estrus) to attract prospective mates.1

This vocalization is a behavioral signal indicating that the female is ready to accept a male and to mate. Because domestic cats are induced ovulators—meaning ovulation does not occur until the queen mates—this efficient reproductive system increases the likelihood of conception. Consequently, these loud calls serve a critical biological function in ensuring the female successfully finds a partner during her reproductive cycle.123