[Eli5] How can animals stabilise themselves the always land on their feet?
In: Physics
In much the same way you will always – so far as is possible – land on your shoulder with your arm thrown up to lessen the impact. This is as opposed to your head, say, or your legs.
Animals (including humans) have an inbuilt reflex to roll when they’re falling. That reflex will make them pivot at the spine and large joints to protect their most vulnerable parts. The way in which they pivot depends on their anatomy. Cats pivot their spine and tail to spin themselves around in order to land on their feet, because that is what will best minimise the damage from the fall for a cat. A human pivots their spine, shoulders, and hips in order to land on their shoulder, because that is the most robust part of a human when it comes to an impact. You arm and clavicle will break – they are designed to – and you will roll, and hopefully avoid breaking your neck, spine, ribs, or legs, all of which are potentially fatal injuries.
Cats are better at this. They don’t usually break.
Latest Answers