How small a thickness can the walrus vibrissae differentiate shapes by?
Answer
3 mm
The dense mat of stiff bristles known as vibrissae on the walrus muzzle are highly specialized tactile organs, not merely stiff hairs. They are intricately supplied with blood and nerves and are connected to underlying muscles, granting them exceptional sensitivity. These whiskers are capable of discerning physical differences on the seafloor with remarkable precision. Specifically, they are sensitive enough to differentiate and identify shapes that are only as small as three millimeters thick. This sophisticated tactile ability, centered on the snout, allows the walrus to effectively 'see' its food by rooting along the substrate to locate and manipulate buried prey, which is crucial in often murky underwater conditions.
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