2006-10-02 04:08:13 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
They have very flexible spines and are able to turn their bodies in mid air so that they always land on their paws.
http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211.web.stuff/Kuhns/Index.htm
2006-10-02 04:16:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they survive a fall from quite high and one reason to explain this is their size. Since they are relatively small, the surface area (2 dimensions, length times height) is enough to slow down their weight given as a function of volume (3 dimensions, length x width x height). If a lion were to fall from a great height, it wouldn't have a chance. Its volume increases in 3 dimensions whereas its suface area providing drag only increases in 2 dimensions.
For example, lets use a cube 2 feet in diameter. Its surface area would be 4 square feet and its volume would be 2x2x2 or 8. If we doubled the cubes size, its volume would be 4x4x4 or 64 yet its surface area would only be 16. 64/16 = 4 for the bigger cube is alot more than 8/4=2 for the smaller one. If you were to drop an ant it wouldn't get hurt at all.
2006-10-02 11:57:26 · answer #2 · answered by JimZ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are capable of twisting their bodies in mid-air as they fall, so that they land on their feet; this "righting reflex" is instinctive. Their highly flexible spine, lack of a collarbone, and tail all play a role in this ability Their legs are excellent as shock-absorbers, although like any animal, they have their limits. The link below is a great illustration of how a cat twists as he falls to land safely.
2006-10-02 11:19:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not think they do any more that other animals of similar weight and body structure. They can survive greater height falls than we humans because they are smaller.
Ants can survive falls from almost unlimited heights because their max falling speed is limited by their air resistance to weight ratio and exoskeletal construction.
2006-10-02 11:20:34 · answer #4 · answered by FrogDog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Duno but they realy do! We had a kitten that fell from the balcony of our 3rd story flat and was fine.
2006-10-02 11:18:11 · answer #5 · answered by micknkaye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
and why do cats have nine lives hello cuz thay always land on there feets everyone should know that.. if u cant see that than your blind.
2006-10-02 11:12:30 · answer #6 · answered by michelle d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you ever heard 9 lives?
2006-10-02 11:15:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know,,but mine do all the time and we wonder that 2
2006-10-02 11:12:31 · answer #8 · answered by Sweetpea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's too high, they don't
2006-10-02 11:26:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe theyre aliens
2006-10-04 21:17:55 · answer #10 · answered by lizzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋