What are the backwards facing hooks on a cat's tongue called and what's their purpose?
1 Answer
The backwards facing hooks on a cat's tongue are called papillae and their purpose is to help cats groom themselves. The papillae are made of keratin, the same material that makes up human fingernails, and are used to remove dirt, debris, and parasites from a cat's fur. They also help cats groom their fur and keep it clean and healthy.