Apart from using them to tickle our faces, cat's whiskers are important tactile navigation sensors/touch receptors, and the cats use them to navigate (especially in the dark). It's said that a cat's facial whiskerspan generally correspond to the width of its body - this way the cat can quickly determine whether they will be able to squeeze through a small opening for instance. In addition to the whiskers found on either side of the cat's muzzle (these are called mystacial whiskers) cats also have whiskers above the eyes, on the chin and on the backs of the lower front legs.
Whiskers (mystacial whiskers) can also be used as a feline mood indicator: When they are pulled back against the cheeks the cat is probably scared or angry. Relaxed whiskers (like on this photo of our female Turkish Van Cat, Sil) means the cat is in a happy and relaxed mood. And when the whiskers are pointed out front and tense the cat is qurious and maybe even in a hunting mode.
Gear used Olympus OM-D E-M5 + Lensbaby Velvet 56 f1.6/56mm.
