Why do cats have whiskers?

A cat’s whiskers, or vibrissae, are thick hairs rooted three times deeper than ordinary fur and surrounded by nerves and blood vessels. Most cats have about 24 on the muzzle, arranged in four rows on each side, plus others above the eyes, on the cheeks and on the backs of the front legs. The tips detect tiny changes in air flow, helping cats sense objects around them even in darkness. Muzzle whiskers are roughly as wide as the cat’s body, which helps it judge whether it can fit through a gap. When hunting, cats sweep their whiskers forward to feel prey that is too close for their eyes to focus on.