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Rats sense the wind with antennae-like whiskers above their eyes

Sensitivity to airflow may help the rodents detect the movements of predators in the dark

A photo of a brown rat standing on its hind legs on a black background.

Rats’ faces bristle with highly sensitive whiskers that are primarily used for feeling around their surroundings. But wispy whiskers above their eyes may be especially adept at detecting faint air movements.

Alan Tunnicliffe Photography/Moment/Getty Images Plus

By Jake Buehler

Many rodents use whiskers to feel their way around their world. But rats appear to take this one step further, using special, antennae-like whiskers above their eyes to sense subtle air movement.