Cats have relatively long whiskers that are very sensitive to movement and touch. These specialized hairs are stiffer than body hairs and have an increased nerve supply. Vibrissae are found on the cat' s muzzle, cheeks, and above its eyes. Extending beyond the cat's body, the whiskers can feel surrounding objects or walls, allowing the cat to move confidently in total darkness.
Domestic cats have four rows of whiskers on their muzzle.
Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County . This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation.