You have probably noticed that your cat will fall on its paws. In the article we will explain why this happens.
Why do cats land on their feet
Cats have a built-in balancing system called the righting reflex that allows them to orient themselves and land on their paw pads.
However, it wasn't until 1969 that the "mystery of the falling cat" was solved. As it turned out, the body of the cat was not examined carefully enough.
Landing on its paws is an innate ability of a cat, that is, a reflex that begins to develop in a kitten at about 3-4 weeks. A well-developed vestibular apparatus and a flexible spine, as well as the absence of clavicles, are responsible for the ability of a cat to keep balance.
This ability allows you to quickly change position during a fall. The back arches, the feet go under the body, and the front legs protect the muzzle. And the cat can slow down the speed of the fall.
However, the height of the fall can affect whether the landing is successful.
Why some falls are relatively safe for cats
When falling, small animals experience more air resistance than large ones. They have a large surface area per unit mass. Another important circumstance. When a small body lands, the movement of almost all its parts stops at the same time, and during the impact they do not put pressure on each other.
