Vibrissa: (vī-brĭs’ə, və-) n. pl. vi•bris•sae (-brĭs’ē) :
Any of the long stiff hairs that project from the snout or brow of most mammals, as the whiskers of a cat.

I have taken up the hobby of collecting whiskers, namely of the feline variety, though there is interest in dog, rodent, cow, horse, sea lion and other specimens. Whisker collecting is not merely a hobby, but an art form and a science. I have developed a methodology for finding and harvesting whiskers that will be explained below.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WHISKERS

As any owner of mammalian pets will no doubt conclude, whiskers are not merely hairs or fur, but special sense-organs that the animal uses for tactile purposes. The vibrissa itself does not contain any nerves, consisting of a material similar to hair. At its root, however, are special sensory cells, consisting of a follicle surrounded by capsules of blood, called blood sinuses. When the vibrissa moves, the follicle agitates the blood sinus, the movement of which is in turn picked up by nerves called mechanoreceptors. This complicated mechanism allows the creature to sense the slightest stimulus, whether it be and object, the air or, in some specimens, even vibrations.
Whiskers come in many different colours and tend to match the fur of their host animal. As the vibrissologist collects samples it is important to document from what breed they are taken. This can be a difficult task for specimens found in the habitat. The field scientist must isolate and examine all whisker-bearing creatures in the habitat to compare the specimen with. The coloration and patterning should match, while size may vary from whisker to whisker.

METHODOLOGY

COLLECTION

METHOD ONE: HARVESTING

If the Vibrissologist is persistant, she may be able to harvest the whiskers straight from the animal’s cute lil’ face. This may be done effectively by running your fingers along the animal’s cheeks, then, when ready, pinch the whiskers between the thumb and pointer finger. Be extremely careful as you pull at the vibrissa, the sensation of their being plucked prematurely can be very painful for the creature involved. If the whiskers are ready for harvesting they will fall into your fingers with the greatest ease.
Do not attempt harvesting if the animal seems at all irritated, as only a thin layer of fur-laden lip lay between the vibrissa and sharp little fangs. Whiskers are not shed as often as normal hairs, and so this process can be a slow and arduous one. Eager field scientists may find combing the habitat to be more fruitful.
DISCLAIMER: Forcefully removing premature whiskers is a violent and inexcusable act and will not be tolerated by the Centre for Vibrissology or the Society of Whisker Enthusiasts.

METHOD TWO: COMBING

Combing the habitat of whisker-laden creatures will yield quicker results, but may make categorisation difficult if multiple whiskered mammalians inhabit said area. Once the daily habits of the vabrissa-bearing creature(s) are known, the field scientist can determine hot spots where whiskers are likely to be found. Cat trees, Dog beds, windowsills, under beds, on beds, near food and water and any place where the creature is found cleaning itself are viable gold mines to the vibrissologist. When dealing with felines, it is well to note that they pick certain spots in the habitats for sleeping, grooming and lounging that they return to repeatedly. These spots are picked for unknown reasons and utilised for seemingly random periods of time. Only the most ardent and perceptive vibrissologists may be able to discern their locations.
Being similar in nature to hair, dust and other light-weight, small objects, whiskers tend to float around the habitat (usually a house or apartment), and may be found apart from the regular hauntings of whiskered beasts. The field scientist must search along the walls, in corners and underneath things where dust tends to pile up. Specimens tend to be brushed to the side on wood or tile flooring, whereas rugs tend to grab onto them, keeping them in place for the observant scientist to find.
Use your hands to comb the area, as whiskers can sometimes blend in with the rug, dust or hair.

UNSURE WHETHER IT IS A WHISKER?
Loose hairs can sometimes look like whiskers, especially when dealing with large canines, whereas whiskers from kittens or puppies can sometimes look like hairs due to their diminutive sizes. The only sure way to discern true whisker-hood is to administer the Backward Rub Test (BRT).
To perform the BRT, hold the specimen at one end between the thumb and pointer finger, then with your other hand, rub your other thumb and pointer finger along the specimen, starting from the end you are holding. Now do the same thing starting at the opposite end. If the specimen is indeed a whisker, it should feel smooth going one way and rough going the other.
The vibrissologist may be able to observe the characteristics of a whisker without the aid of tools. Most notable is the tendency of vibrissae to be thick at the root end, then progressively grow smaller toward the tip. Whiskers tend to be straighter than fur, and damage if bent more easily.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE SAMPLES
For those interested in furthering science, specimens should be sent to The Centre for Vibrissology at the address below. The host mammal’s type, breed and age should be included with each sample. Monetary donations for research and equipment are also welcomed and encouraged.

Centre for Vibrissology
6797 SW 179th Ave.
Aloha, OR 97007