I found this article in the BBC News magazine very interesting, I often wondered why cats can fall from great heights and the majority appear practically unharmed...
- Cats have relatively large surface areas in proportion to their weight, so fall at a slower rate over a great height than larger mammals
- Their bodies have evolved to allow them to survive falls from trees, their natural homes
- Given the time, they twist to land on their feet
- Their legs are long, muscular and extend under the body rather than straight down, allowing them to absorb the shock.
- But many cats who fall from heights are nevertheless severely injured and some die
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17492802
