A falling cat can flip over in midair and land on its feet. And it does that with nothing to push against. It is called the righting reflex, and the cat does not even have to think about it.
How does it know where up is?
Inside its ears, a tiny balance system feels which way is down. Its eyes help, too, so it knows where the ground is.
How does it turn?
A cat has a very bendy back. It twists its front half first, and then its back half follows. Then its legs swing down, ready for the landing.
Does it always work?
But it does not always work. From a very low height, there is no time to turn. And a high fall can still hurt a cat, so keep windows and balconies safe.
