Weird Wiskers

[Sam's My Baby]

My 6 month old gerbil, Sam has unusual wiskers. Half of them are black, and half of them are white! Has anyone else seen this in any other gerbils or animals? here is a pic of her, but you cant really see her wiskers.

[Heather Wallace]

I can only see his white whiskers in that pic, but it must be really cute. I haven't seen an animal with different coloured whiskers but I am sure it is normal, just incase you are worried at all.

You know what I think of Sam? Cute Gerbil!

[Sam's My Baby]

Thanks Heather! I think ur bunnies are real cute too! Yea I thought it was kind of interesting how they were like that! Maybe I can get a pic of a closeup of Sam's face so you can see all her wiskers. She also has a few white hairs here and there and she has white strip of fur across her paws and on her chin.

[Heather Wallace]

Yes Cadbury is a bit like that to, he is black but also has a few white hairs here and there on his back. Also if you look at his belly it is kind of grey, it is so cute.

[Ann]

Oliver has what I call "freak-whiskers"

They are different colors and they grow all wierdly and crooked. Sometimes I have to cut one off because it is poking his little nose, poor guy.

[Heather Wallace]

Originally posted by Ann
Oliver has what I call "freak-whiskers"

They are different colors and they grow all wierdly and crooked. Sometimes I have to cut one off because it is poking his little nose, poor guy.

Does he not find that painfull Ann? Hope you do not mind me asking, I thought that whiskers where very sensetive?

[Ann]

Oh no! I'd never do that if it hurt him! When I cut them off I don't like pull out the whole thing or anything! I just take a pair of scissors and cut off the area that is bothering him. He never flinches when I do it and he doesn't even seem to notice it at all when I do it so the though of it hurting never really crossed my mind... I just thought it looked so uncomfortable for him to have his whiskers poking into his eyes or nose.

I don't think I'll do that again though, incase it DOES hurt him... Man I feel all bad now

[Sam's My Baby]

Oh poor little guy! It doesnt seem to me that it is hurting him. They must really bother him!

[Ann]

Yeah, one time one got into his nostril after he had groomed himself and boy did he sneeze!! Poor little baby...

[JGuitaristR]

Hey guys- whiskers have no feelings. As long as you're not pulling the whisker straight out of his face-he won't feel any pain. You can keep cutting the whisker so it doesn't agitate his nose or eye. You're doing fine!

[Ann]

Good to hear that!! That's what I've been thinking all along, but it's great to hear it from another source as well!

And hey, welcome to Pet Talk Nice to have you here!

[Heather Wallace]

Originally posted by JGuitaristR
[B]Hey guys- whiskers have no feelings. As long as you're not pulling the whisker straight out of his face-he won't feel any pain.

The whiskers do have feelings, that's how cats are able to find their way around in the dark.

Ann, if he is not flinching it should be fine! LOL! about the sneezing, I love it when my cats sneeze it looks and sounds so cute.

[JGuitaristR]

No, the whiskers themselves DO NOT have feelings. Yes, they use it for HELP in the dark, but don't forget they have excellent night vision. But, no whiskers don't have feelings.

oh , a black gerbil !!! I've never seen a thing like this !!
Sam is a real beauty !!!
Take care little one !

[TheAntiPam]

Whiskers are like human hairs - the feeling is actually in the skin at the base. When a whisker or hair moves in a breeze, or brushes against something, the movement is detected by the nerves at the root. So, cutting the whisker won't hurt any more than a haircut...but pulling out a whisker would definitely hurt.

Hmmmm, maybe we need a Bunny Beauty Shop for all those grooming needs!