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5 Crazy Cat Anatomy Facts

1. Whisker Communication

A cat’s whiskers are like a radar guidance system, with a bundle of nerve endings telegraphing details about everything the cat touches, as well as shifts in air pressure. His whiskers are the same width as his body, letting him know whether he’ll be able to get through a narrow opening or fit behind the TV set.

But whiskers are also navigators. These bristly hairs, found above his eyelids, around his muzzle and on the lower, inside part of his forelegs, help cats move smoothly in darkness. Sensitive to changes in the air current around an unknown object, whiskers enable the cat to avoid the obstacle.

A hunting cat uses its whiskers to zero in on the outline of its prey, letting it know where to strike. Damaged whiskers hamper its aim. A cat’s facial whiskers are also mood indicators. Stiff, forward-pointing whiskers mean the cat is aggressive. An angry cat’s whiskers are tightly pulled back against its face. And a contented cat’s whiskers are picture-perfect, forward, with a slightly downward angle.

Related:
10 Fantastic Cat Facts
Top 10 Cat Health Questions
How Much Do Cats Sleep?

Read more: Behavior & Communication, Cats, Do Good, Pets, , , , , ,

By Kathy Blumenstock, Animal Planet

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407 comments

+ add your own
Christine Daniels Christine D.
8:48AM PDT on May 21, 2013

xox

Christine Daniels Christine D.
8:48AM PDT on May 21, 2013

xox

Christine Daniels Christine D.
8:48AM PDT on May 21, 2013

xox

Gabriela Baldaia Gabriela B.
5:36PM PDT on May 19, 2013

Thank you for this delighful article !!! how I wished my cat purred more ... ( sigh ) !!

Kathy Perez Kathy P.
12:03PM PDT on May 15, 2013

my kitty is my BABY. a close second to my own child, and the heart of our home

Julie F. Julie F.
3:14PM PDT on May 12, 2013

thanks so much!

Marianne Good Marianne G.
1:16AM PDT on May 6, 2013

Thanks

Jessica H. Jessica H.
11:23PM PDT on May 5, 2013

great article, thx!

Sarah R. Sarah R.
3:06PM PDT on Apr 23, 2013

They are such beautiful, clever animals. People don't give them as much credit as they deserve.

Alice Birmingham Alice B.
11:05AM PDT on Apr 23, 2013

Thanks

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