Online talk – Dec 2nd – The walrus’s whiskers and the mouse’s moustache: why do animals have whiskers?

Join us online with Dr Robyn Grant from the Manchester Metropolitan University!

This event is hosted online by the Berkshire Mammal Group in association with the Cole Museum of Zoology.

Nearly all mammals have whiskers – sensory tactile hairs, also known as vibrissae. In fact, whiskers are only truly absent in a handful of species, including humans. However, much of what we know about whiskers comes from studying just a few species, such as laboratory rats and mice. In this presentation, I will present a snapshot of what is known about how different species use their whiskers, drawing information from studies of whisker anatomy, development, evolution, and function. In particular, I will answer the following questions: how do whiskers work, develop, and evolve? And what are they for? I will also consider the applications of whisker research for mammalian behaviour, welfare, and conservation.

Event is FREE and online

Date: Thursday 2nd Dec

Start time: 19:15 for 19:30

End time (approx): 20:30

Please email to request the link: berksmammals@gmail.com

For more information visit the Berkshire mammal Group Website