It is not true that cats.....?

Question

It's not true that cats land on their feet. I threw my neighbors off my roof and it did not land on its feet. It didn't even move after it hit the ground. Who came up with that saying?

Answer 1

It is an old wives tale. They can generally use their tail to help them turn to land, but many of them have broken bones if they fall for any distance. I hope your neighbors don't find out.

Answer 2

If cats fall a short distance, they can almost always right themselves and land on their feet. If they fall more than one or two floors, however, they may sustain severe or even fatal injuries. The number of cats who become injured from falling is increasing, partially because of the large number of multi-story apartment buildings. Cats who are injured during falls are often said to have 'high rise syndrome.'
The uniqueness of the cat's skeleton is one of the reasons they can right themselves so quickly. Cats do not have a collarbone, and the bones in their backbone have more mobility than in many other animals. For these reasons, cats have free movement of their front legs and they can easily bend and rotate their bodies. This allows them to land feet first. Their feet and legs can cushion the impact. This righting reflex begins to appear at 3-4 weeks of age, and is perfected at 7 weeks.

If cats fall a larger distance such as two or more floors, even though they can right themselves, their legs and feet can no longer absorb all of the shock. Their heads may hit the ground and they often bruise their chin and may fracture some teeth. Falls of four or more floors cause the cat to hit the ground at maximum velocity and thus acquire a multitude of injuries including a ruptured diaphragm, torn liver, and fractured bones.

There are certainly instances of cats falling only a short distance and acquiring severe injuries. For the safety of your cat, always be sure upstairs windows are screened. Balconies and upstairs porches should be off-limits unless screened or cats are restricted from the edges and railings with the use of a harness and leash. (Be sure the leash is short enough to prevent the cat from jumping on the railing, or reaching the edge of the porch.)

Answer 3

If cats fall a short distance, they can almost always right themselves and land on their feet. If they fall more than one or two floors, however, they may sustain severe or even fatal injuries.
The uniqueness of the cat's skeleton is one of the reasons they can right themselves so quickly. Cats do not have a collarbone, and the bones in their backbone have more mobility than in many other animals. For these reasons, cats have free movement of their front legs and they can easily bend and rotate their bodies. This allows them to land feet first. Their feet and legs can cushion the impact. This righting reflex begins to appear at 3-4 weeks of age, and is perfected at 7 weeks.

Answer 4

to tell you the truth, im not really sure who came up with that saying either. Usually if they have time, cats will land on their feet, but if they panic they might not. Oh, you might be arrested for animal cruelty just to let you know!

Answer 5

How about I throw you off your roof and see if you land on your feet.

Answer 6

I wish I could slap you to wake up, why the heck would you do the "test" throwing a cat off a roof, Dang I hope you go to hell

Answer 7

i dont think a cat would land on its feet after a fall like that

Answer 8

I hope everyone will look at your prior questions.

You should change Your name, instead of wet and wild, let's see;

Dumb and Stupid

Hater and Killer

Evil and Wicked

Non Compassionate Witch

Psycho and Ignorant

One Who Loves Controversy, so Creates It

It has been a long day, but You get the message........................

Answer 9

thats not right how would u like someone to take u and throw u off a roof u know u could be arested for doing that ? THATS NUTS!

Answer 10

any one that would through any living thing of a roof has probably been dropped on their head one to many times