Human beards, though often called whiskers, actually consist of regular hairs. Beards aren't touch sensitive as whiskers are, but they can grow long, very long. The longest human beard listed in the Guinness Book of World Records belonged to Hans N. Langseth, born in Norway in 1846.
Walruses use their whiskers to comb mud and sand when looking for food.
The harbor seal uses its whiskers to sense the movement of fish. Being stiff keeps the whiskers from getting smashed against the animal's skin by water currents. A cat on the prowl holds its whiskers out on each side of its face like a pair of fans. The whiskers help the cat feel which way its prey is dodging in its struggle to get away. All rights reserved.