Cats don't always land on their feet. An animal expert explains the science behind how cats reorient themselves mid-fall, what factors affect whether they stick the landing, and why the myth isn't as reliable as people think.
Is it true that cats always land on their feet? If you love these animals, you'll know that a widespread legend is that no matter how high they fall from, they always land on their feet. Well, in this video by an animal expert, we're going to discover the truth. Is it true that cats always land on their feet? We're sorry to tell you that they don't. Isn't it true that they always land on their feet? This is a myth that has surrounded felines for centuries. Because since ancient times, cats have been surrounded by an aura of mystery. In Egypt, for example, they were sacred animals. And over time, their agility and ability to survive surprising falls earned them the title of beings with almost supernatural powers. And that's how the myth was born. Cats always land on their feet, although in reality they don't always succeed, especially if the height is very low and they don't have time to turn around. Lets take a closer look. Why do cats land on their feet? In 1894, French scientist et Jules Marie used a high speed camera to record a cat falling and discovered that it did not violate the laws of physics as previously thought, but rather used very precise movements of its spine, head and legs to rotate its body without pushing off the air. This almost magical ability to land on its feet is actually a natural ability known as the riding reflex. This reflex is an automatic response that allows cats to reorient their bodies during a fall in order to land on their feet. They develop it from a very young age, around 3 weeks old. But how exactly does it work? 1. The vestibular system and balance Cats have a highly developed vestibular system in their internal organs that gives them an exceptional sense of balance. This system allows them to quickly detect where they are in space and adjust their posture accordingly. 2. Spinal Flexibility Feline anatomy is remarkably flexible. Their spine is made up of approximately 30 highly mobile vertebrae, allowing them to twist and turn with great ease. This flexibility is essential for them to reorient their bodies in midair. 3. Limb movement during a fall, cats first turn their heads to orient themselves, then arch their backs and move their legs in a coordinated manner. They pull in their front legs and stretch their back legs, then reverse the movement. This action allows them to turn their bodies without the need for external force thanks to the conservation of angular momentum. 4. Terminal Velocity Cats reach a terminal velocity of approximately 60 miles per hour during a fall, which is slower than that of humans. This gives them more time to maneuver and prepare for landing. Now there are a few factors that influence a cat's fall. While the riding reflex is impressive, it does not guarantee that cats will always land on their feet or come out of a fall unscathed. 1. The height of the fall Paradoxically for cats, falls from intermediate heights between 1 and 2 meters can be more dangerous than those from greater heights. This is because in longer falls, cats have more time to correct their posture and reach a lower terminal velocity, which allows them to better prepare for the impact. A study carried out in New York found that cats that fell from heights greater than 10 or 12 meters suffered fewer injuries than those that fell from lower heights. 2. The surface on which they land. Soft surfaces such as grass or carpet can cushion the impact, while hard surfaces such as asphalt or cement increase the risk of injury. 3. Physical condition for example, cats that are overweight, elderly or have health problems may have a reduced capacity to absorb the impact of a fall, which increases the risk of injury. Now you know that cats do not always land on their feet and that if yours has suffered a serious fall, you should take them to the vet to have them checked out. Share this Video so everyone knows. Also, you have other curiosities about cats in the playlist that we leave here next to you and in the description box. Until next time, experts oh.
