How Does a Falling Cat Turn Its Feet Toward the Ground?

A falling cat can turn itself upright even if it begins upside down and has nothing solid to push against.

The movement is called the righting reflex. First, the cat uses its inner ear and vision to determine which direction is down. It then bends its flexible spine so the front and rear halves of its body can move somewhat independently.

The cat draws its front legs close to its body while extending its rear legs. This makes the front half easier to rotate than the rear half. The front turns toward the ground while the rear twists slightly in the opposite direction. The cat then reverses the arrangement, extending its front legs and pulling in its rear legs. Now the rear half can rotate more easily and follow the front.

By combining these movements, the cat changes its orientation while preserving its total angular momentum. It does not need to push against the air, and its tail is helpful but not essential. Cats with very short tails can perform the same maneuver.

Before landing, the cat spreads its legs, arches its back, and prepares its limbs to absorb the impact. The reflex begins developing in kittens within their first few weeks.

Landing on its feet does not make a cat immune to injury. A short fall may provide too little time to complete the rotation, while a long fall can still cause broken bones or internal damage.

The cat solves the problem by temporarily treating its body as two connected objects, rotating each one differently until all four feet face the ground.