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Incredible slow motion footage reveals exactly how cats always land on their feet: Watch Caracal's gymnastic tumble

As cat falls upside-down, flexible spine allows for opposing rotation
The front end begins to rotate clockwise, while back end moves opposite
This happens at the same time, allowing the cat to push against itself
Cats are also known to have 'aerial righting reflex' to regain orientation

Published: 15:38 EST, 4 April 2016 | Updated: 03:17 EST, 5 April 2016

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With rumours about nine lives and the ability to always land on their feet, cats have gained an air of legend surrounding their physical capabilities.

But in some cases, the folklore isn’t far from the truth.

A new video from BBC explores in stunning slow motion how the African caracal can land on all four feet after an upside-down fall, manipulating its body to right itself before hitting the ground.

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In the slow motion footage, the caracal can be seen falling through the air from a few feet above the ground. Its body begins in a forward-facing position, but it quickly begins to arch itself, twisting and bending near the head and lower back

WHY CATS LAND ON THEIR FEET

The driving force behind this phenomenon is known as the ‘aerial righting reflex,’ which helps cats to regain orientation.

Combined with their flexible spines, cats can determine their orientation in relationship to the ground, and twist their body to right themselves.

But, it isn’t just cats that have this skill.

Researchers have linked this reflex to many other animals, from primates to guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats, and even some lizards.

This reflex helps animals to reorient their bodies after falling, but it’s thought to play a role in jumping and leaping as well.

The video is a part of the BBC One educational program called Life in the Air, which reveals how animals around the world can seemingly defy gravity.

In the slow motion footage, the caracal can be seen falling through the air from a few feet above the ground.

Its body begins in a forward-facing position, but it quickly begins to arch itself, twisting and bending near the head and lower back.

While it may not look all that comfortable, this movement is just a part of the cat’s internal design.

The caracal’s flexible spine ‘allows them to rotate their front and back ends in different directions at the same time,’ the video explains.

While falling backward, the front half of the caracal’s body rotates in a clockwise motion as its back does the opposite.

This allows the cat to ‘push against itself.’

As the caracal twists in the slow motion video, its legs are seen quickly coming in close to its chest, even making contact at one point.

The video likens this to the motions of a spinning ice skater.

By pulling its legs in close, the front half of the cat’s body will spin faster, causing the spine to twist.

As the spine twists, the back legs are swung around to prepare for landing.

The driving force behind this phenomenon is known as the ‘aerial righting reflex,’ which helps cats to regain orientation.

But, it isn’t just cats that have this skill.

As the caracal twists in the slow motion video, its legs are seen quickly coming in close to its chest, even making contact at one point. The video likens this to the motions of a spinning ice skater

The video is a part of the BBC One educational program called Life in the Air, which reveals how animals around the world can seemingly defy gravity. A grab from the video is pictured

The driving force behind this phenomenon is known as the ‘aerial righting reflex,’ which helps cats to regain orientation. So, while cats may not always land on their feet, their bodies are prepared for the event of a fall, helping them to land right-side up in many circumstances

Researchers have linked this reflex to many other animals, from primates to guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats, and even some lizards.

This reflex helps animals to reorient their bodies after falling, but it’s thought to play a role in jumping and leaping as well.

So, while cats may not always land on their feet, their bodies are prepared for the event of a fall, helping them to land right-side up in many circumstances.

Researchers have linked this reflex to many other animals, from primates to guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats, and even some lizards. This reflex helps animals to reorient their bodies after falling, but it’s thought to play a role in jumping and leaping as well. A grab from the video is shown

With rumours about nine lives and the ability to always land on their feet, cats have gained an air of legend surrounding their physical capabilities. But in some cases, the folklore isn’t far from the truth. A new video from BBC explores how the African caracal can land on all four feet after an upside-down fall