What Are Whiskers?

Vibrissae are hairs specialized for detection of movement, commonly called whiskers. In general, vibrissae are hairs which grow around the nostrils or other parts of the face in many mammals, usually specialized for tactile sensation. They are thicker and stiffer than other types of hair, and they can also be found on the wrists of the forelegs of cats. The term is also used in reference to the stiff feathers near the mouths of some birds.

Vibrissae consist of inert material and contain no nerves. What makes vibrissae different from other hairs is that ..............

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