Within a whisker of greatness: How Billie and friends are making history

Museum experts in Leeds are bristling with excitement after their resident hippo’s fabulous facial hair was studied during new research into the inner workings of whiskers.

- by Harriet Sutton

Analysis recently carried out at the Leeds Discovery Centre saw curators comb through their vast collection of historic taxidermy, including century old stuffed hippo Billie, to explore exactly how the number and placement of their whiskers help animals sense the world around them.

The study is believed to be the very first time hippopotamus whiskers have ever been examined in such detail, and could lead to better knowledge about the aquatic giants and the way they utilise their hundreds of tiny tactile hairs.

The project saw the Discovery Centre, which is home to more than 6,000 taxidermy mammals, host sensory biologist Dr Robyn A Grant. During the visit, Dr Grant got an up-close look at Billie, a favourite at London Zoo in the late 1920s.