When we think of cat whiskers, we think of the stiff hairs growing about the mouth of a cat.
Most cats, however, have whiskers above the eyes, on the chin, on the forelegs, near the ears, and above the upper lip.
And while whiskers come out from hair follicles like other hairs, they have roots that are three times deeper.
These deep routes mean that the whisker-follicles are packed with nerves and vessels.
And this makes them extremely sensitive—they have been found to be as sensitive as human fingertips (a slight touch and you know what’s happening).
Cats have great hearing and smelling abilities but their eyesight is not good—they have difficulty focusing on objects up close.
Whiskers help cats overcome this “handicap” and by brushing its whiskers against an object, a cat can detect the precise location, size, and texture of the object, even in the dark.
Whiskers also help cats detect subtle changes in the air current and these subtle changes can also inform the cat about the size, shape, and speed of nearby objects.
So, it is this feature that helps the cat decide whether it can fit into a tight space or not.
Detection of the changes in the air current also alerts the cat of any approaching danger.
Also, the ends of the whiskers have sensory organs called proprioceptors.
The proprioceptors send messages to the brain regarding the position of the body and limbs and are one of the main reasons that cats always land on their feet.
Whiskers also provide humans insights into a cat’s state of mind—stretched whiskers, pulled back across the face, are an indication that the cat is feeling threatened.
On the other hand, relaxed whiskers mean a cat is feeling safe and content.
