Almost everything about a big cat makes it a successful predator. Those that hunt at night have eyes that can see about six times better than yours. A big cat’s ears can swivel to pinpoint the tiniest rustle of movement. Really, prey has little chance. All cats walk on their toes. Touch-sensitive hairs on their feet allow them to quietly place each paw without looking down. They also have sensitive whiskers, called vibrissae, near their mouths and eyes. These detect nearby objects, helping a cat move easily and silently through dense vegetation in the darkness. The whiskers also feel the prey’s shape when the cat attacks and help target just where to bite.
Leopards have long whiskers to help them feel their way among branches in the treetops and on the forest floor.This leopard was about to leap into a tree to hide an impala. But hyenas stole its prey before it could haul the impala to safety.
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