How does a cat land on its legs when dropped?

Physlink.com ^ | 2005 | unk.

[FoxInSocks]

And the fun picture:

[xm177e2]

Animal experts say that this instinct is observable in kittens as young as three to four weeks, and is fully developed by the age of seven weeks.

Animal experts learned this by dropping baby kittens :-)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Cave paintings show this principle has been understood for millenia...

[stayathomemom]

My dad used to call this "The Official Cat Trick".

[JennysCool]

Just another unique power in the Viking Kitty arsenel.

[NCC-1701]

Here's a point to ponder. If a buttered piece of bread lands buttered-side down more times than not, and a thrown cat lands almost always on their feet, what would happen if you affixed a piece of buttered bread on the back of a thrown cat?

[DYngbld]

I don't know but lets put a pancake on its head and see what happens.

[rwfromkansas]

I wonder what kind of "research" they did to determine how they survive falls from several stories? :)

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

"Here's a point to ponder. If a buttered piece of bread lands buttered-side down more times than not, and a thrown cat lands almost always on their feet, what would happen if you affixed a piece of buttered bread on the back of a thrown cat?"

A ten penny nail works great to attach the bread.

[rwfromkansas]

Well, here is one that is somewhat close.

[CollegeRepublican]

That was my first thought after read that line. Then I started to laugh. I am sick :)

[NoClones]

all that without a degree from mit!

[NCC-1701]

I like your way of thinking.

[ScottFromSpokane]

http://www.google.com/search?q=cat+toast+perpetual+motion

[DYngbld]

I wonder if you dropped a bunny if it would land on its feet.

[A CA Guy]

They use their tail to flip themselves into landing position.

NEXT QUESTION...

[Roccus]

Depends on the price of the carpet.

[ScottFromSpokane]

"OK, hand me one of the one-week-old litter....Nope. Two-week old....Nope. Three-week-old....Hey, that one worked!

"OK, get the cleaning lady in here."

[maestro]

Cats ALWAYS 'jump'!

[DYngbld]

So a cat without a tail will not land on its feet?
I wonder if I could get a grant to study this. I have two Cats.