Cats can survive falls remarkably well for several reasons. Some of these reasons aren't particular to cats, but simply to small animals. For instance, larger animals experience greater impact stress and thus bone stress. Although the bones of an elephant are stronger than that of a cat, they aren't as strong when considered as a bone strength/mass proportion. Secondly, large animals reach higher terminal velocities because their area to mass ratio is less favorable. However, two attributes that are unique to cats among other small animals are their natural instinct to land with their legs flexed, which dissipates the impact force through soft tissue, and their ability to land on their feet. Parachutists also use the technique of landing with flexed muscles to dissipate the force of impact, unlike with cats this skill doesn't come instinctively for them.
|