Why does Naruto have whisker marks?


Why does Naruto have whisker marks on his face?

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/i2PMy.jpg)

Does it have anything to do with the kyuubi inside him? Is it to signify that
he is the host of the kyuubi or is it just a plain birthmark? Was it ever
explained in the anime or manga?




They're not _actually_ whiskers. They're _whisker marks_ , just marks on his
face that resemble whiskers.

Yes, this has to do with the kyuubi. When Naruto was influenced by Kurama
prior to birth, he gained the whisker marks:

> Naruto's most prominent physical characteristics, however, are the whisker
> marks on his face that he gained from Kurama's influence on him while he was
> in Kushina's womb.
>
> — [Naruto Uzumaki, _Naruto_
> Wiki](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki)

The reason Naruto's mother did not have them is because these are as a result
of prolonged exposure (being in the womb) rather than the beast simply being
sealed within the host.

> Both of Naruto's kids, Bolt and Himawari, have two whisker marks on each
> cheek, neither of them is a Jinchuuriki but both are the children of
> Kurama's Jinchuuriki, which implies that this is an inherited trait.




They're not _actually_ whiskers. They're _whisker marks_ , just marks on his
face that resemble whiskers.

Yes, this has to do with the kyuubi. When Naruto was influenced by Kurama
prior to birth, he gained the whisker marks:

> Naruto's most prominent physical characteristics, however, are the whisker
> marks on his face that he gained from Kurama's influence on him while he was
> in Kushina's womb.
>
> — [Naruto Uzumaki, _Naruto_
> Wiki](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki)

The reason Naruto's mother did not have them is because these are as a result
of prolonged exposure (being in the womb) rather than the beast simply being
sealed within the host.

> Both of Naruto's kids, Bolt and Himawari, have two whisker marks on each
> cheek, neither of them is a Jinchuuriki but both are the children of
> Kurama's Jinchuuriki, which implies that this is an inherited trait.

