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Feline Flip: Japan Study Unlocks Cat Landing Mystery
9 Mar
Summary
- Cats possess a super-flexible thoracic spine, key to their landing ability.
- Scientists discovered the upper back spine is three times more flexible.
- This flexibility allows cats to spin their upper body rapidly.
For centuries, the precise mechanics behind a cat's ability to always land on its feet have puzzled scientists. New research from Yamaguchi University in Japan has pinpointed the reason: a highly flexible thoracic spine. This section of a cat's upper back is nearly three times more adaptable than its lower lumbar spine.
This remarkable flexibility enables cats to swiftly rotate their upper torso independently of their lower body. By tucking their front paws, they increase inertia for a quick spin, while extending their rear legs stabilizes the lower half. This coordinated movement, occurring in milliseconds, allows them to orient themselves mid-fall and defy conventional physics.
