Why do cats always land on their feet?
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What other animals do you think can twist or turn their bodies in amazing ways?
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Transcript
Have you seen a cat twist in the air and land feet-first? How does it do that?
A cat can feel which way is up, even while falling. Its ears and eyes help it notice a turn.
First, the cat turns its head and front half. Then its bendy back helps its back feet swing around.
The cat stretches out all four paws for landing. But cats do not always land safely, so we never drop them.
So that's why cats often land on their feet. Their bodies can twist quickly in the air!
For grown-ups: the science
Cats use their ears, eyes, bendy backs, and quick twists to put their paws down.
Cats have an air-righting reflex. Input from the inner ear balance system, vision, and body sensation helps them orient; a flexible spine and independently rotating front and rear body sections let them twist without needing to push against anything. They do not always land on their feet, and falls can cause serious injuries, especially from lower heights where there may be less time to right themselves.