Have you ever wondered what a cat's whiskers are for? Cats have long and curious whiskers that give them a really cute look, but their function goes beyond being an aesthetic attribute. Whiskers are an important tool that allows felines to deftly navigate the world.
In this article on our site, we'll explain what cat whiskers are for and explain everything you need to know about this important feature of your furry friend. Keep reading!
What are cat whiskers?
Before explaining what they are and what they are for, what are cats' whiskers called? Cat whiskers are technically known as " vibrissae" and are specialized hairs that offer the feline a mechanoreceptor functionThey are noticeably longer and more sensitive than the other hairs on the body, moreover, they are not found in the dermis, but in the hypodermis, a deeper area of the skin, surrounded by nerves and blood vessels that transmit information to the feline brain.
How many whiskers does a cat have?
The number of whiskers can vary depending on the species although, in general, most cats show between 16 and 24 whiskers The whiskers or "whiskers" act as tactile receptors and are present in many other species, such as dogs, rats and foxes. In addition, they are not only located in the facial area, but we can also see them above the eyes, on the chin or behind the front legs.
What are the cat's whiskers for?
Now that you know what cat whiskers are, it's time to explain the 5 functions of these animals' whiskers:
1. Help short-range vision
Cats' vision is among the best in the animal world, however, cats often have difficulty distinguish nearby objects each other, especially those less than 30 cm apart. In this case, the tactile receptors help them capture the closest stimuli.
two. They allow you to explore and protect yourself from dangers
Another function of the cat's whiskers is that they help him to remain alert to what is happening around him. The high sensitivity of these threads is capable of detecting if something is approaching the feline, as well as avoiding collisions with obstacles, such as walls or trees. This happens because the vibrissae pick up differences in air currents that occur when an object is close. In addition, the whiskers continue to work even when the animal is asleep, so it can rest without any problem.
3. Protect the eye
The whiskers located above the eye, like human eyebrows, protect the feline eye organs, as they prompt the cat to blink when they detect an object, no matter how small, approaching the blood cell.
4. They allow to measure spaces
The length of the whiskers is enough to measure the space the cat is facing. How do they do that? These strands vary depending on the size of the cat, so they are a useful indicator for traversing tight spaces If the spot is too narrow to fit the diameter of the whiskers, then the cat will not be able to enter. This is the reason why cats are such elusive animals, they never enter a place, however narrow it may seem to the human eye, if they have not first made sure that they fit.
Discover in this other post the strangest things that cats do, many will surely surprise you!
5. They help maintain balance
Another function of the cat's whiskers is to help it maintain its balance. Together with the tail, the whiskers allow the feline to move flawlessly through narrow paths without falling or sleeping on high places. Despite this, we recommend not taking risks and preventing the cat from climbing to excessively high or dangerous places.
What if the cat loses its whiskers?
As you may have noticed, the whiskers or whiskers fulfill different functions in the life of cats. In case of losing them, the cat would not only see its well-being affected, but it would also have difficulties in everyday life. It is worth remembering that these whiskers are part of the animal's tactile sense.
As happens with nails, from time to time the cat's whiskers fall off to be replaced by new whiskers, so you should not worry if this happens to your cat because it is a natural process. After a few days, you will see new whiskers in their place. But yes, you should never play with his mustaches or cut them, since you would cause him great discomfort and, we repeat, you would seriously harm his way of moving and connecting with the environment.
