Why do cats turn over when they fall? - briefly
Cats instinctively use their flexible spine and inner ear balance to quickly reorient themselves mid-air, ensuring they land on their feet to minimize injury.
Why do cats turn over when they fall? - in detail
Cats possess a remarkable ability known as the "righting reflex," which allows them to reorient themselves mid-air during a fall to land on their feet. This reflex is a combination of innate instincts, biomechanics, and physics. When a cat falls, its highly flexible spine and lack of a rigid collarbone enable it to twist its body with precision. The process begins with the cat’s head, which it instinctively rotates to align with the ground. Its front legs pull in while the hind legs extend, creating rotational momentum. The cat then arches its back, redistributing its mass to control the speed of rotation and ensure its feet face downward. This reflex is so efficient that even blindfolded cats can execute it. The inner ear’s vestibular system, responsible for balance, detects the cat’s orientation relative to gravity and sends signals to the brain, coordinating the movement. While this reflex increases the likelihood of a safe landing, it does not guarantee the cat will avoid injury, especially from higher falls. This ability is a product of evolution, allowing cats to survive falls from trees or other elevated surfaces.