Contrary to popular belief, falling cats do not always land on their feet. - GoFuckYourself.com

NoCarrier · 01-06-2003, 04:45 PM

Why Cats Land on Their Feet
by: Virginia Wells
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Whether or not a cat lands on his feet depends on the distance he falls and the surface he falls on.

Contrary to popular belief, falling cats do not always land on their feet. In fact, every day cats sustain serious injuries from falling out of open windows, off balconies and from rooftops. Cats do not fear heights and will often leap after a bird or a butterfly and find himself falling through the air. The trauma sustained from a fall of over two stories (24 to 30 feet) is known as high-rise syndrome.

If a cat falls a short distance, he can usually right himself and land on his feet. If he falls more than one or two floors, however, he may sustain injury. Although he can right himself, his legs and feet cannot absorb the shock.

Cats have exceptional coordination and balance and a flexible musculoskeletal system. They are able to orient their bodies in space in such a way as to land on all four limbs. This is what happens when a cat falls:

The cat determines which way is up and rotates the head until it is right side up.

He brings the front legs up close to the face, ready to protect it from impact.

He twists the upper part of the spine to bring the front half of the body around in line with the head.

He bends the hind legs so that all four limbs are ready for touchdown and, as this happens, he twists the rear half of his body around to catch up with the front.

However, whether or not a cat lands on his feet depends on several factors, including the distance he falls and the surface he falls on.

Righting Reflex

Cats have the ability to right themselves in midair thanks to the vestibular apparatus. This is a tiny fluid-filled organ housed deep in their inner ears that is responsible for the cat?s remarkable balance. It is composed of tiny chambers and canals lined with millions of sensitive hairs and filled with fluid and minute floating crystals. When cats move, the fluid shifts, giving readings on the body?s position ? similar to the instrument in an airplane called the ?artificial horizon? that tells the pilot the position of the plane?s wings in relation to the horizon.

When a cat falls, the vestibular apparatus becomes active and helps the cat register which way is up. This allows the cat to right himself in midair by adjusting the orientation of the body. The righting reflex appears in a kitten at 3 to 4 weeks and is perfected by 7 weeks.

Musculoskeletal system

The uniqueness of the cat?s skeleton is another reason they can right themselves. A cat does not have a collarbone and the bones in his backbone have more mobility than in many other animals. So cats have free movement of their front legs and they can easily bend and rotate their bodies.

Terminal Velocity

In a study from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, two veterinarians examined 132 cases of cats that had fallen out of high-rise windows. On average they fell 5.5 stories, but 90 percent survived, although many suffered severe injuries. The number of broken bones and injuries increased with the number of stories the cat had fallen ? up to seven stories. Above seven stories, however, the number of injuries declined. In other words, the farther the cat fell, the better were his chances of escaping injury.

The reason for this may be that after falling five stories or so, cats reach a terminal velocity. The velocity or speed of a falling body does not increase forever because the rate of speed is interrupted by air resistance. A skydiver reaches a terminal velocity of around 130 to 140 mph after about 30 seconds of free-falling. Cats reach terminal velocity much sooner at a speed of 60 mph.

It?s instinctive for both humans and animals to tense up their muscles when free-falling, which makes them more susceptible to injury. When cats land before reaching top speed, they are rigid and flexed and prepared for the landing. This results in most of the force impacting the parts of the body that hit initially. However, after reaching terminal velocity, cats relax their muscles and spread themselves out like flying squirrels. This allows the impact of the fall to be spread across a larger surface area.

Safety First

Cats do have a higher incidence of surviving falls. .However, there are many instances of cats falling only a short distance and acquiring severe injuries. The best way to keep your cat safe is to make sure there are no open windows without heavy screens in your home. Make sure screens are intact and strong ? cats insistent on going outside have been known to slash through thin screens. Finally, unscreened balconies and upstairs porches should be off-limits to your cat.

It?s true, your cat may be able to survive a fall ? or he may not. You just never know

greentea · 01-06-2003, 05:08 PM

NoCarrier · 01-06-2003, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greentea

greentea · 01-06-2003, 05:17 PM

Cogitator · 01-06-2003, 06:06 PM

49thParallel · 01-06-2003, 06:12 PM

Now, if we could only teach some of the posters on GFY how to land on their feet after they say something stupid...

01-06-2003, 04:45 PM	#1
NoCarrier We need more free porn Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 16,356	Contrary to popular belief, falling cats do not always land on their feet. Why Cats Land on Their Feet by: Virginia Wells Related Articles http://www.petplace.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=4076 Whether or not a cat lands on his feet depends on the distance he falls and the surface he falls on. Contrary to popular belief, falling cats do not always land on their feet. In fact, every day cats sustain serious injuries from falling out of open windows, off balconies and from rooftops. Cats do not fear heights and will often leap after a bird or a butterfly and find himself falling through the air. The trauma sustained from a fall of over two stories (24 to 30 feet) is known as high-rise syndrome. If a cat falls a short distance, he can usually right himself and land on his feet. If he falls more than one or two floors, however, he may sustain injury. Although he can right himself, his legs and feet cannot absorb the shock. Cats have exceptional coordination and balance and a flexible musculoskeletal system. They are able to orient their bodies in space in such a way as to land on all four limbs. This is what happens when a cat falls: The cat determines which way is up and rotates the head until it is right side up. He brings the front legs up close to the face, ready to protect it from impact. He twists the upper part of the spine to bring the front half of the body around in line with the head. He bends the hind legs so that all four limbs are ready for touchdown and, as this happens, he twists the rear half of his body around to catch up with the front. However, whether or not a cat lands on his feet depends on several factors, including the distance he falls and the surface he falls on. Righting Reflex Cats have the ability to right themselves in midair thanks to the vestibular apparatus. This is a tiny fluid-filled organ housed deep in their inner ears that is responsible for the cat?s remarkable balance. It is composed of tiny chambers and canals lined with millions of sensitive hairs and filled with fluid and minute floating crystals. When cats move, the fluid shifts, giving readings on the body?s position ? similar to the instrument in an airplane called the ?artificial horizon? that tells the pilot the position of the plane?s wings in relation to the horizon. When a cat falls, the vestibular apparatus becomes active and helps the cat register which way is up. This allows the cat to right himself in midair by adjusting the orientation of the body. The righting reflex appears in a kitten at 3 to 4 weeks and is perfected by 7 weeks. Musculoskeletal system The uniqueness of the cat?s skeleton is another reason they can right themselves. A cat does not have a collarbone and the bones in his backbone have more mobility than in many other animals. So cats have free movement of their front legs and they can easily bend and rotate their bodies. Terminal Velocity In a study from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, two veterinarians examined 132 cases of cats that had fallen out of high-rise windows. On average they fell 5.5 stories, but 90 percent survived, although many suffered severe injuries. The number of broken bones and injuries increased with the number of stories the cat had fallen ? up to seven stories. Above seven stories, however, the number of injuries declined. In other words, the farther the cat fell, the better were his chances of escaping injury. The reason for this may be that after falling five stories or so, cats reach a terminal velocity. The velocity or speed of a falling body does not increase forever because the rate of speed is interrupted by air resistance. A skydiver reaches a terminal velocity of around 130 to 140 mph after about 30 seconds of free-falling. Cats reach terminal velocity much sooner at a speed of 60 mph. It?s instinctive for both humans and animals to tense up their muscles when free-falling, which makes them more susceptible to injury. When cats land before reaching top speed, they are rigid and flexed and prepared for the landing. This results in most of the force impacting the parts of the body that hit initially. However, after reaching terminal velocity, cats relax their muscles and spread themselves out like flying squirrels. This allows the impact of the fall to be spread across a larger surface area. Safety First Cats do have a higher incidence of surviving falls. .However, there are many instances of cats falling only a short distance and acquiring severe injuries. The best way to keep your cat safe is to make sure there are no open windows without heavy screens in your home. Make sure screens are intact and strong ? cats insistent on going outside have been known to slash through thin screens. Finally, unscreened balconies and upstairs porches should be off-limits to your cat. It?s true, your cat may be able to survive a fall ? or he may not. You just never know __________________ Last edited by NoCarrier; 01-06-2003 at 04:48 PM..

01-06-2003, 05:08 PM	#2
greentea Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Florida Posts: 6,580	__________________ blunts

01-06-2003, 05:17 PM	#4
greentea Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Florida Posts: 6,580	__________________ blunts

01-06-2003, 06:06 PM	#5
Cogitator Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 672	WTF? __________________ - this space intentionally left blank -

01-06-2003, 06:12 PM	#6
49thParallel So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,197	Now, if we could only teach some of the posters on GFY how to land on their feet after they say something stupid...