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A cat's whiskers are termed tactile hairs or more precisely, sinus hairs. They are most numerous on the sides of the muzzle--but they also grow on either side of the chin and above the eyebrows. (Eyelashes are not sinus hairs.) Whiskers grow directly out from the skin, whereas other hairs grow at an angle, so you can determine the direction that the fur lays.
Sinus hairs are stiff and their inner core contains branches of the main facial nerve: the trigeminal nerve. This nerve may well be what helps animals orient themselves in low light. Sinus hairs are also thought to evoke some emotional feeling. Consider this the next time your cat slowly rubs her face on your hand or cheek.
Whiskers, as intimated above, provide balance and depth perception. Some cat researchers have also found that the angle of the whiskers can reveal some indication of your cat's state of mind:
* If your cat is irritated--and possible ready to strike--her whiskers are likely to be straight
to the sides and spread out.
* If your cat feels defensive, the whiskers are most likely going to be pulled back.
* If the whiskers are pulled forward, this usually means that your cat is relaxed and content.
Next time you observe your cat playing with you, looking out the window at birds, or wrestling with a cat housemate, observe the whiskers--they might just give you a hint about what's going on in your cat's brain!
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