What term is used for the long or stiff hairs on the face or nostrils of an animal, often referred to as whiskers?

The long or stiff hairs commonly found on the face or nostrils of an animal are specifically referred to as vibrissae. These specialized hairs are highly sensitive tactile sensors that help animals navigate their environment, particularly in low-light conditions or in tight spaces. Vibrissae play a crucial role in the sensory perception of many animals, allowing them to detect objects, obstacles, and changes in their surroundings.

The term cilia refers to small hair-like structures that wave or beat to move fluids across surfaces, which is different from the longer, stiffer hairs defined as vibrissae. Fur generally refers to the dense coat of soft hair that covers the body of many mammals but does not specifically describe the tactile hairs on the face. Bristles are stiff, short hairs sometimes found on certain animals, but they do not serve the specialized sensory function that vibrissae do. Thus, vibrissae is the most accurate term for those distinctive facial hairs.