Whiskers

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/whiskers

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Vibrissae
2. What is the innervation?Richly supplied with mechanoreceptors and nerve fibers connected to the somatosensory cortex
3. How do whiskers help cats find food?Cats use their whiskers to feel the width of a space and the texture of objects. This lets them know if they can fit through a narrow spot and helps them catch prey.
4. Why do some animals have whiskers in water?Animals like seals and otters use their whiskers to feel tiny water currents that show where fish are hiding. This helps them hunt even when the water is cloudy or dark.

Mechanoreceptors: Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.
Somatosensory Cortex: The brain region responsible for processing tactile information.
Biomimetic: Technology or design inspired by biological systems.
Hydrodynamic Cues: Information derived from the movement of water.