Close-Up Cat with a Resting Butterfly

About this drawing

A butterfly on a cat would be felt the moment it touched down, thanks to a remarkable sensing system: the whiskers. These long, stiff hairs, also called vibrissae, are far more than decoration. Their roots sit deep in tissue packed with nerves and blood vessels, so they can pick up the faintest touch or breath of air.

Whiskers are arranged in neat rows on both sides of the muzzle, and they span about as wide as the cat's body. That makes them a handy measuring tool. If the whiskers fit through a gap, the rest of the cat probably will too. There are also smaller sets above the eyes and on the chin, which help protect the face.

Here is something most people do not know: cats have trouble focusing on objects right under their noses. At that close range, touch takes over. When a cat has caught something, it sweeps its whiskers forward to feel what the prey is doing and where to bite.

They also reveal mood. Relaxed whiskers fan out to the side, while whiskers pinned to the cheeks mean fear. They should never be trimmed, because a cat without them can become disoriented. Whisker sensitivity may also be the reason why some cats prefer wide, shallow bowls to deep ones, which can brush against those delicate hairs at every bite.

• cat
• butterfly
• whiskers
• close-up