Is it true that cats always land on their feet?

[Mike Spartz]

I was speaking to my friend at school today about this topic and I wondered what some of you might think.

[kiddiesunshine]

I have dropped many a kitty and I can tell you......what did I just say? I mean, through rigorous research I have concluded that felines DO in fact land on their feet, given the time and distance from the ground to do so.

[Jedigreedo]

Well yeah, I think it's cause of their flexibility. They can bend enough to get their feet down, of course it depends on the height..if it's too high than feet or no feet it ain't gonna help.

I propose we take cats and jellied up bread, attach the bread jelly side out to the back of cats, and then use them as a new way of transportation. It would be the first non-fueled hover technology, which would save tons!

[TimTwoFace]

Hmmm...I dunno...let's try it.

*SHOVES TZ MEMBER SELENA KYLE OUT OF A 50-STOREY WINDOW*

When I get to the bottom I'll give you my answer. :D

-Tim

[Frozen]

Last month our five month old kitten jumped out of the bathroom window while he was looking for his mum. :( But he was alright! :D He was limping a bit, but he was still OK, so I don't know if they always land on their feet, but they can damn well bounce...

[Rune]

I propose we take cats and jellied up bread, attach the bread jelly side out to the back of cats, and then use them as a new way of transportation. It would be the first non-fueled hover technology, which would save tons!

Non fuelled hover technology? Darn and there was I thinking that you'd solved the age old problem of the bread always falling buttered (or jellied) side down on the carpet.

As already mentioned I think it depends on the length of the drop and the condition of the cat whilst dropping, (I doubt a stunned cat will land feet first :( ) my aunt's cat fell off a shed roof and broke its pelvis when it landed on its feet and my 2 kittens often land on their heads/backs when leaping off of furniture.

This definitely needs more research :D

[RogueMartian]

Not if you throw them.

[Zach Logan]

One of my teachers, when she was young, threw her cat out a two story window, and the results wernt pretty

[Outlander00]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace
Hmmm...I dunno...let's try it.

*SHOVES TZ MEMBER SELENA KYLE OUT OF A 50-STOREY WINDOW*

When I get to the bottom I'll give you my answer. :D

-Tim


LOL... Uh oh... Better be careful Tim, she might claw you to death after that stunt :p

[Alaskanbullworm]

And this brings back the whole "What would happen if you strap a piece of toast on the back of a cat?" I want to see what happens. Well Selena is on the way down, so I'll try it with Singin' Stray Cat.

[Spastic Minnow]

I've been told it's more accurate to say that they land on their stomach. If a cat falls from a great distance and is examined the brunt of the injuries come from there.

My brother used to do this cruel thing. He would sit on the edge of a chair with his legs held together then place our trusting cat on its back between his legs, pet and stroke the cat until it was purring and nice and relaxed, then he'd quickly open up his legs and the unsuspecting cat would fall squarely on his back.

[Captain Yurika]

Our cats have fallen or jumped from various heights and they in fact do not always land on their feet. I'd say a good 85-90% of the time they do, but there are times when something catches them by surprise.
And there was the time (and I feel really bad about laughing about this) when one cat had to see the vet and they drugged her and she was like stoned/drunk kitty and she couldn't walk let alone land on her feet. Poor thing. :D

[Clayface]

http://www.discover.com/ask/main73.html

[Singin' Stray Cat]

Originally posted by Patrick Star
And this brings back the whole "What would happen if you strap a piece of toast on the back of a cat?" I want to see what happens. Well Selena is on the way down, so I'll try it with Singin' Stray Cat.

:eek: Noooooo!!!

(lands on feet anyway)

Oh...well, there's your answer. But your toast is ruined, I'm afraid.

You know that link Clayface just posted? That reaction that's described in there takes only a fraction of a second.

Another useless fact: The world record for a cat falling is held by Gros Minou, who fell 250 feet out of a window and miraculously lived. I imagine he saw all nine of his lives flash before his eyes. =X

[Patrick Bateman]

What's with all the throwing out the cat people at TZ? It's not right! *throws Kylie Wayne while we're at it anyway* :D

[The Detective]

I've got three cats and I've never seen them not land on their feet. And they have jumped out of some high trees. Wait, isn't TZer Calico named after Calico cats? *accidently knocks Calico out the window*

[Barb Gordon]

Cats on average have a better chance of landing on their feet then dogs or humans. But like any animal, if they're caught off guard, or thrown or something, they wont. My cat lands on her feet most of the time, but a few times she's almost somesaulted to the ground when she's fallen and been up two or three feet.

~Barb

[TimTwoFace]

*LOOKS OUT WINDOW* Dang...I think Selena isn't lookin' too good. I need another guinea pig here...*NUDGES KYLEWAYNE OVER THE EDGE*

:D

-Tim

[Kylewayne]

Ahhhhhh! *lands on feet*

*takes out razor sharp claws and awaits to scratch Tim2Face to shreds* :D

[TimTwoFace]

*LOOKS DOWN* Dang...I ain't goin' down there now...erm...*LOOKS FOR SINGIN' STRAY CAT TO BE MY NEXT VICTIM...er...TEST SUBJECT* :)

-Tim

PS - It WOULD appear that cats do land on their feet. But Selena there might need some crutches. ;)

[jeffrey 228]

Tim, you know that is some what abuse if you did that. :p

And for the fact, cats really do land on there feet, but if they are not injured and all.

[Patrick Bateman]

*takes out razor sharp claws and awaits to scratch Tim2Face to threads*
*grins*

And I got away with it. :D

*runs away*

[Calico]

Originally posted by The DarkKnight
I've got three cats and I've never seen them not land on their feet. And they have jumped out of some high trees. Wait, isn't TZer Calico named after Calico cats? *accidently knocks Calico out the window*

Owwie! *rubs bruised head*

Ladies, are we gonna stand for this?? Feline solidarity! :p :D



Cats do have an amazing sense of balance and flexibility. Funny though, I have a cat who can't jump. I have a strong feeling that if he were dropped he'd go splat. :( He's extremely uncatlike.

[Catlover]

I saw a documentry about cats on national geographic one time, and it said that cats do land on there feet, I just can't remember how high they can fall.

On another note: I'm glad I'm not being thrown out of windows. :p

[Kylewayne]

*grins*

And I got away with it.

*runs away*


Come out , come out wherever you are! I will not shred you to pieces...

*sees BYO fleeing the scene...sends Isis after him to use as a scratching poll* :D