A New Study Details How Cats Almost Always Land on Their Feet

Researchers at Japan's Yamaguchi University published a study in The Anatomical Record revealing that cats' ability to land on their feet is largely due to the differential flexibility of their spines—the thoracic region rotates about 50 degrees with minimal effort, while the stiffer lumbar region acts as a stabilizer. During a fall, cats sequentially rotate their front body first, followed by the rear, executing a precise midair righting maneuver. The findings could aid in treating feline spinal injuries and inspire the development of more agile robots.