Forum : Do cats always land on their feet?

Current User: Guest Login Register
Please consider registering

Search 
Search Forums:


 




Home Forums Cats Do cats always land on their feet?

Do cats always land on their feet?

 Add a New Topic Reply to Post
Page: 1
UserPost

3:16 am
February 18, 2008


Rodney

Guest

 Quote and Reply
 Report Post
1

The answer to the first question is "usually." Interestingly enough, in New York City, veterinarians have coined the term "High Rise Syndrome" to describe the injuries cats receive from falling out windows in high rise apartments. Although cats can survive a long fall (the unofficial record in NY is 18 stories), it behooves us to watch out for open windows, as cats can incur severe injuries by landing on their feet. Strangely enough, some of the most serious injuries occur in a fall from 10 to 12 feet.

How do they do it? Cats, even very young kittens, have an amazing sense of balance. When falling, the fluid in the inner ear shifts and the cat rotates its head until it equalizes and the fluid is level. The body automatically shifts to follow the head, and the cat lands on its feet.

It also helps that the cat is extremely agile and his supple muscles and spine respond instantly.

However in a fall from 10 to 12 feet, there often simply isn’t enough time for even an agile cat to complete the full switch to "feet-side down." Older, less-agile cats could be seriously injured, especially when landing on a hard surface.
Page: 1 Add a New Topic Reply to Post


Reply to Topic: Do cats always land on their feet?

NOTE: New Posts are subject to administrator approval before being displayed

Guest Name (Required):

Guest EMail (Required):

Guest URL (required)

Math Required!
What is the sum of: 11 + 3        (Required)

Topic Reply:


 
Topic RSS 

About the Pet Monologues forum

Currently Online:

2 Guests

Maximum Online: 78

Forums:

Groups: 7

Forums: 24

Topics: 24

Posts: 38

Members:

There are 207 members

There are 11 guests


PM has made 8 posts

Top Posters:

NorahH - 8

kk - 2

AndiL - 2

petey - 1

ShawnaK - 1

Administrator: PM | Moderators: hesso


© Simple:Press Forum - Version 3.1.1 (Build 336)  

Related posts

  • No related posts.
AddThis Social Bookmark Button
This site employs the Wavatars plugin by Shamus Young.