Why do cats have whiskers?
For grown-ups: the science
Cats use their whiskers as special touch tools to feel nearby things and check small spaces.
Whiskers, also called vibrissae, are specialized tactile hairs rooted much more deeply than ordinary fur. Their follicles are richly supplied with sensory nerves and blood spaces, allowing cats to detect whisker bending and air movement, especially useful for close-range navigation and hunting in low light. Whisker span often roughly matches body width, but it is not a perfect measuring tool for every opening.
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Transcript
Look at a cat's little face. Why do those long whiskers stick out?
Cat whiskers are thick hairs that grow from deep spots in the skin. Their roots have many tiny feeling nerves.
When a whisker brushes a wall or a bug, it bends. The nerves tell the cat what the whisker touched.
Whiskers also help a cat check a narrow space before squeezing through. They help the cat notice things even in dim light.
So, whiskers are special touch tools for cats. They help cats explore their world!