Researchers from Yamaguchi University in Japan have discovered that cats are always able to right themselves in midair and land on their feet, despite falling suddenly or awkwardly. The upper part of a cat's spine is highly flexible, twisting into place, while the stiffer lower spine follows. This explains why cats often emerge from falls unscathed. The study also revealed that cat's body-mass distribution also helps, with the lighter upper body allowing for easier twisting than the heavier lower body. The researchers dissected spines from cat cadavers and tested the limitations of the thoracic and lumbar spine, with live cats being dropped from a height of 3.3 feet onto a soft cushion.