Do you ever question why do cats have those whiskers? Unlike how men can grow a beard and do what they want to stylize it, cat’s whiskers are not for their fashion sense.
Also called vibrissae or ‘tactile hair,’ whiskers are embedded into a cat’s body. A cat’s whiskers are patterns that grow in a horizontal line along their muzzle, between the uppermost edges of the mouth and external edges of the nose. A cat’s whiskers are an essential physical attribute.
Cats are not the only animals to develop whiskers. Dogs, primates, and other mammals have also developed hair to help sense danger in the night.
One fun fact is that if a sea lion did not have any whiskers, they wouldn’t be able to drive their route through the ocean. As you’ll read along, similar to cats, hair also helps sea lions hunt for their prey.
In this post, you will learn the ten reasons why cats have whiskers and also how they can function in the world. Get ready for some cool fun facts!
Table of Contents
1. Sensory Tool
Whiskers are the reason why cats can see in the dark. In contrast to humans who feel around with their own hands, cats have sensory organs at the end of their whiskers which send along messages to the brain.
They’ll know what directions to turn in from air flows. Now you’ll have to depend on cats as your guide to get through a dark house at night.
Whiskers can also help cats avoid any predators prowling them. Upon feeling threatened, these filaments send along information about their surroundings, assisting cats to detect and even respond to changes in their environment.
2. Whisker’s Not Just on Their Cheeks
Yes, whiskers grow on other parts of cats, too. They also have whiskers that are shorter on their eyebrows, their chin, and even on the back of the fronts and backs of their legs. These whiskers better help them with jumping.
3. Balancing is a Myth
That’s right; it’s a myth that cats need whiskers to balance. It looks like cats can control their balance through their inner ear.
4. Whiskers are Sensitive
Although cat’s whiskers tend to shed off naturally, these whiskers are highly sensitive too. They’re the nerves. These whiskers are linked to the muscular and nervous system of cats.
So, it’s essential never to cut off or trim a cat’s whiskers. Because of that sensitivity, harming a cat’s whiskers causes a tremendous amount of pain. No owner deserves to witness their cat in a horrible amount of pain.
Without their precious whiskers, cats will not be able to navigate their way. And they’ll become scaredy cats as the saying goes. Like cats, we also need our senses to navigate ourselves every day.
Moreover, pay attention to what dishes you serve to your cat.for the reason that their whiskers may press against the bowl causing a disturbance.
5. Detection
Ever wonder why a cat will rub up against your legs? Their whiskers can detect the details in their location, size, and texture of an object, and even changes in air flow! If you’re trying to sneak up on a cat, it won’t work, their whiskers can sense danger.
Also, do you know how they can readily spring themselves up onto the highest table? That’s right, whiskers. Whiskers can visually measure the distance. Hmm, we wonder if cats would be good at solving math problems.
6. Whiskers are the Best Indicator
Ever see videos where cats fit themselves through the slightest crack in a door? Or inside an empty Coke box? Whiskers can tell a cat if they’ll be able to meet through or not.
They’ll experiment first, poking their head through space, studying the width, and then go forth if it’s safe. Do you wish that your cat could do your math homework for you, now?
7. Speak Their Mind
Whiskers are also a helpful hint for owners on how their cat is feeling. For example, when a cat’s whiskers are pulled back across their face, they may feel threatened.
Similarly, when whiskers are pointing away from their face, it’s a good sign that they’re happy and want to share a nice cuddle with you. They even have a game face too when they are up to a playful challenge.
8. Cats Are on the Hunt
A cat’s whiskers are also the sound sensors to help them hunt for prey. Not only that, but whiskers can inform all the little details about what a cat is stalking.
By moving their whiskers at this moment, cats can have the best idea on how to harm their prey. Even the smallest vibration of a mouse sets off their alert system.
9. Protector of the Eyes
Similar to how eyelashes will keep out all the awful dust and debris from our eyes, cat’s whiskers do just the same job.
Right before anything gets too close their face, the whiskers will alarm the cat, and then she will close her eyes before danger threatens her.
10. Fun Fact, Cat Whiskers Can Change Color!
As a cat grows old, so will the color of their fur, and even their whiskers. The color of the hair is black, white or grey. And size does not matter either. These long and stiff whiskers happen to be shorter or longer on all cats depending on their size & age.
Conclusion
As a result, the cat’s whiskers are their main survival outlet. These filaments have some similarity to eyelashes, but cats can live their lives just through sensing vibrations and measuring the width all through their whiskers. If cats were human, they’d be good at math, which they already are.
When buying a cat, there is no need to worry about their safety. Just study the lives of cats and make a good home for them. That’s what cats love.
Also, don’t harm a cat’s beautiful face. Whiskers serve the purpose of survival. Cats are essential in our lives. Therefore, don’t destroy their good luck charm.
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