A whisker is a long, thick hair around the mouth of some animals, mostly mammals such as cats and mice, that the animal uses to feel its surroundings. Some animals, such as cats, also have whiskers above their eyes and on the backs of their legs. Unlike other hair, whiskers should never be cut or trimmed, as this can confuse the animal.
Whisker
Trivia
- Whiskers, contrary to what their name suggests, have nothing to do with the function of purring cats.
- Domestic cats have tactile hairs on the inside of their front legs in addition to the face.
- Naked mole rats have no fur, their only "hair" is vibrissae on their face. They even grow vibrissae inside their mouths.
- The whiskers of chinchillas can be up to one third of their body length.
- Bush-rats have touch-hairs not only in the face, but even at the front-breast, the shoulder, the flank, at the back and at the tail.
