Why do cats almost always land on their feet?

Sonya

Hi, I have read about this topic in educational books about cats and also in several articles on the internet. They said that a cats skeleton is very unique. Cats do not have a collarbone, and the bones in their backbone have more mobility than in many other animals. For these reasons, cats have free movement of their front legs and they can easily bend and rotate their bodies. This allows them to land feet first. Their feet and legs can cushion the impact. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1313&articleid=1106 [Link added -- Zb] Aug 07 00, 6:59 AM

MooMoo8

Cats have no trouble walking along narrow fences and ledges. They are graceful as the best tightrope walkers. When cats do fall, they almost always land on their feet. While they are in the air, they twist their bodies and whip around their tails until their feet point downward. Cats don't think about doing this while they are falling. They are just following their instincts. Dec 30 05, 12:04 AM