"Cat Tell Ya" Series: 【The Mysterious Cat Whiskers 🐱🧔🏻‍♀️🧔🏻🧔🏻‍♂️】

🐱 There are Urban Legends About Cat Whiskers Around the World...

In Japan, the legend says that "cat whiskers" can ward off evil 📿; in Taiwan, they are believed to attract wealth 💰; in Europe and America, it is said that "cat whiskers" can protect romantic relationships 💌 and have the magical power to avoid misfortune. Many people keep found cat whiskers in wooden boxes as offerings or sew them into amulets to carry with them.

In reality, cat whiskers are precious organs for cats, often referred to as their "second eyes." Officially, they are called "vibrissae." In addition to growing on either side of their mouths, they can also grow around the eyes and on their paws.

Actual Functions:

1. Perception of Space and Distance: The whiskers located on either side of a cat's mouth extend to approximately the same width as the cat's body. This allows cats to use their whiskers to gauge space and distance, helping them determine whether they can successfully pass through or enter an area!

2. Navigation Function for Detecting Airflow

The sensitive cat whiskers can directly detect changes in airflow, allowing them to smoothly avoid obstacles even in the dark, as if they have a built-in GPS.

3. Aiding in Hunting

Since whiskers can detect airflow, they can also sense the movements of prey, making it difficult for any target to escape a cat's notice! In addition to the whiskers on their cheeks, cats also have whiskers on their front paws. These help determine the location of prey, and when a cat catches its target, the whiskers on its paws can detect whether the prey is still alive, allowing for a precise and lethal strike.

4. Protecting the Eyes

Cats also have whiskers above their eyes! When hunting, if something approaches and is about to touch their eyes, the whiskers can quickly sense it, triggering a reflexive blink to protect them.

5. Assessing Mood

In addition to observing a cat's tail to gauge its mood, you can also look at the whiskers on its cheeks. For example, if the whiskers near the mouth are relaxed and hanging to the sides, it indicates a calm and happy mood. If the whiskers are pressed back against the face, the cat is likely scared or preparing to defend itself, as it flattens its whiskers to avoid injury. If the whiskers are leaning forward, the cat may be in a state of tension or alertness.