Why Is the Vibrissae Important?

Function. Generally, vibrissae are considered to mediate a tactile sense, complementary to that of skin. This is presumed to be advantageous in particular to animals that cannot always rely on sight to navigate or to find food, for example, nocturnal animals or animals which forage in muddy waters.

What is the purpose of the rat's vibrissae?

Whiskers, or vibrissae, are prominent sinus hairs, found on nearly all mammals that act as specialized sensory organs for touch [1–4]. Rodents, such as rats and mice, have the ability to control the position and movement of their long facial whiskers (the mystacial microvibrissae) relative to the head [5].

What is the importance of whiskers?

They serve an important function. Whiskers are specifically tuned sensory equipment that guide a cat through daily functions. These specialized hairs aid vision and help a kitty navigate his environment, providing additional sensory input, much like antennae on insects.