The saying "cats always land on their feet" is well-known, suggesting that cats have a remarkable ability to survive falls from great heights. Some attribute this skill to their exceptional balance, while others wonder if there's a touch of magic involved. This phenomenon has intrigued scientists for centuries.
But is it mere folklore or a verifiable truth? Let's delve deeper to uncover whether cats truly possess this uncanny ability and unravel the mechanics behind it.
Do cats always land on their feet?
Cats possess a remarkable inborn mechanism known as the "righting reflex," which enables them to adjust their body position and land on their feet. However, it is important to note that while cats often succeed in landing upright, it is not an infallible outcome. The height of the fall can impact their ability to land safely.
The phenomenon of cats seemingly always landing on their feet has puzzled scientists since the early 19th century. Initially, it was believed that cats somehow pushed off from the surface they were dropped from to facilitate their mid-air reorientation.
However, in 1894, a French scientist named Etienne-Jules Marey disproved this notion. Through the use of a chronophotographic camera, he captured multiple frames per second of a cat's fall, allowing him to observe the process in slow motion and gain insights into how cats manage to land on their feet.
How do cats always land on their feet
The ability of cats to land on their feet is attributed to their remarkable righting reflex. This reflex allows them to swiftly reposition themselves during a fall and land safely on their feet. Cats rely on their vestibular apparatus, located within their ears, for balance and orientation. This helps them determine their position in mid-air and initiate the necessary adjustments.
In addition to their righting reflex, cats possess unique skeletal structures that contribute to their landing abilities. They lack a collarbone and have a highly flexible backbone with 30 vertebrae. This flexibility enables them to quickly correct their body position while falling. Their back arches, their feet align beneath their body, and their forepaws move closer to their face to protect it. Furthermore, cats' low body-to-weight ratio aids in slowing down their velocity as they descend.
The development of the righting reflex occurs at an early stage in a cat's life. Kittens as young as 3 weeks old begin exhibiting this reflex, and by the time they reach 7 weeks, it is fully developed.
How does the height of the fall affect the landing?
The outcome of whether cats always land on their feet is greatly influenced by the height of their fall. A noteworthy study conducted by the New York City Animal Medical Centre in 1987 examined veterinary records of cats that had fallen from multi-storey buildings, revealing remarkable findings. Despite landing on concrete in most cases, a staggering 90% of the studied cats survived the fall, with only 37% requiring emergency medical attention.
Interestingly, the height of the fall played a significant role in the outcomes observed. Cats that fell from heights ranging between 7 and 32 stories experienced fewer injuries compared to those falling from 2 to 6 stories. In an astonishing case, a cat plummeted an astounding 32 stories onto concrete and was released after just 48 hours with only a chipped tooth and a minor lung puncture.
Scientists speculate that cats have more time to adjust their body position during higher falls. They also estimate that cats reach a maximum velocity of approximately 60mph, significantly slower than humans who reach speeds of around 120mph. As cats reach this velocity, they enter a relaxed state and stretch out their legs, akin to the behavior of flying squirrels. This stretching increases their body size and creates air resistance, allowing cats to resemble little parachutes and enhance drag resistance.
It’s all in the legs
Cats possess remarkable adaptations that enable them to land on their feet and survive falls, which is crucial considering their natural inclination for climbing and exploring heights. These adaptations have evolved to minimize the potential damage resulting from falls.
Despite their seemingly long and slender legs, cats have strong muscles that serve as shock absorbers, reducing the impact when they land. Their angled legs not only facilitate jumping and scaling heights but also help distribute the force of impact, preventing it from being concentrated in one area.
While cats have the innate ability to orient themselves during a fall, it is essential to take preventive measures to avoid falls altogether. Overweight cats, in particular, may struggle to land on their feet effectively due to reduced agility. If you reside in an apartment or tall building, it is advisable to keep windows closed or install window guards to prevent accidental falls. In the event that a cat does experience a fall, immediate veterinary attention is crucial, as they may have internal injuries that may not be visible externally.