Whisker facts for kids
A whisker is a long, thick hair around the mouth of some animals, mostly mammals such as cats and mice, that the animal uses to feel its surroundings. Some animals, such as cats, also have whiskers above their eyes and on the backs of their legs. Unlike other hair, whiskers should never be cut or trimmed, as this can confuse the animal.
Whiskers can also mean a beard or mustache.
Images for kids
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"Whiskers" on a whiskered auklet
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The "whiskers" around the beak of a kakapo.
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"Whiskers" on a catfish
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A Patagonian fox showing four major cranial groups of vibrissae: supraorbital (above the eye), mystacial (where a moustache would be), genal (on the cheek, far left), and mandibular (pointing down, under the snout).
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Macrovibrissae and supraorbital vibrissae of Phoca vitulina.
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A yawning cat shows how the mystacial macrovibrissae can be swept forward.
See also
In Spanish: Vibrisas para niños
