Hello, I’m Dr. Karyn! Learn my introduction to be taught extra about me and meet my 5 hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

When taking a look at my ginger cat, Alex, it’s onerous to not discover that he has remarkably lengthy whiskers, significantly for a short-haired cat, and it made me surprise about among the so-called ‘guidelines’ about whiskers. These are among the claims made about whiskers, or as they’re technically known as, vibrissae:

• Cats use whiskers to gauge the width of a niche to see if they will match via it
• Fatter cats have longer whiskers
• A cat’s whiskers are proportionate to the width of their physique

However once I take a look at the varied sizes of my cats in contrast with their whisker size, these theories don’t fairly appear so as to add up.

Whiskers As A Measuring Instrument

Have you ever ever watched a cat squeeze, leap, or run via a slim hole? How typically do they cease to check the width with their whiskers? And, judging by the contortions they’re able to to navigate such slim openings, how a lot consideration are they paying to this ‘whisker suggestions’ anyway?

Fatter Cats Have Longer Whiskers

One take a look at Cyril will let you know that that is merely not the case. As my squishy, huggable, resident fatty, Cyril is sort of twice the dimensions of our smallest feline, Zazzles. Even at a lean physique weight, he’s a big cat, however his whiskers are of fairly a modest size.

Though whiskers fall out and are changed like regular hair, they don’t develop longer if a cat places on weight, so maybe it’s factor that they’re not counting on them to suss out the accessibility of small areas, or we’d be seeing much more tubby tabbies trapped in tiny openings!

Whiskers Are Proportionate to Physique Width

I took it upon myself to measure the width of every of my cats on the shoulders, which, apart from Cyril (who’s going on a food regimen), is the widest a part of a cat’s physique. I then measured the general width of their whiskers on the longest whisker to see how they in contrast.

To take a look at, Clutch’s whiskers gave the impression to be most proportionate to his physique, whereas Zazzles’ appeared fairly brief, even when accounting for her petite body. After I appeared on the ratios of whisker size to physique width, I observed one thing significantly fascinating – the ratio of Clutch’s whiskers to physique is 1.6 : 1.

And that, my pals, is named The Golden Ratio.

Whisker width	23	19	18	16	22
Shoulder width	14	11.5	16	12	15
Ratio	1.7 : 1	1.6 : 1	1.1 : 1	1.3 : 1	1.4 : 1

The Golden Ratio

Also referred to as ‘Phi’ and ‘The Divine Proportion’, it is a ratio that’s seen in nature time and time once more. Though physics students are fast to dismiss the importance of this ratio when seen in organic organisms, the concept that options displaying these proportions are thought of to be examples of ‘excellent magnificence’ is one which visionaries like Leonardo DaVinci subscribed to, as proven in his well-known Vitruvian Man. Though it could possibly simply be dismissed as coincidence or likelihood, there are numerous situations in nature and structure the place this divine ratio may be noticed, from the spirals of a nautilus shell, the design of the pyramids, to the proportions of the human face. And now, in Clutch’s whiskers.

As I discussed, when wanting on the varied options of my 5 cats, it was Clutch’s whiskers that gave the impression to be most in proportion together with his face and physique, so it’s fascinating that his whisker-to-body width ratio is arguably divine!

The long-whiskered Alex’s ratio is a formidable 1.7 to 1, whereas Cyril’s is a considerably embarrassing 1.1 to 1.

What Is The Goal of Whiskers?

Many individuals will nonetheless declare that as a result of they’re far-sighted, cats use their whiskers to assist navigate their environment. Nevertheless, this appears neither logical nor sensible. Ready for these delicate hairs to come back into contact with one thing earlier than making their transfer doesn’t precisely match with easy and stealthy feline movement.

Given the extent of sensitivity of feline vibrissae, it’s much more probably that they’ve advanced to detect adjustments in airflow created by the slightest actions of animals, permitting them to find prey within the low gentle situations of nightfall and daybreak, the most well-liked time for feline looking. It might additionally clarify why our cats are likely to get fairly agitated when windy climate wreaks havoc with their navigational devices!

Does Whisker Size Matter?

Is Clutch higher outfitted for looking as a result of his whiskers comply with the golden ratio? Or does Alex’s far-reaching vibrissae give him a strategic benefit?

Being that my cats dwell indoors and aren’t required to catch their dinner, I can’t actually decide them on their relative looking expertise, however my instincts inform me ‘no’. I believe Cyril’s choice for lazing on his again over elevating his coronary heart price would impression his prey depend excess of his brief whiskers.

Has domestication and selective breeding altered the divine whisker proportions past what’s ‘optimum’? Judging by the stubbly vibrissae of the Sphynx, or the Rapunzelesque whiskers of some long-haired breeds, I must say: sure. Extraordinarily lengthy whiskers are going to be extra hindrance than assist, whereas non-existent whiskers will likely be no assist in any respect!

The engaging size of Alex’s whiskers might give him a slight edge over the likes of Zazzles or Cyril, however as soon as that ratio will get a lot increased than 1.7, you’re coping with hairs which might be extra prone to get tangled than supply tactical benefit.

It might actually be fascinating, albeit difficult, to check the whisker:physique width figures of feral cats and their bigger family to seek out out if the golden ratio does dominate in nature – I’m taking a look at you, potential PhD candidates!