Nimble Cats

 

Mr Cat comes and goes when he wants to

You own the dog, but Mr Cat ... he owns you

He won't wag his tail when you come home

He's not into silly tricks, leave him alone

He will bring home a dead rat once in a while

What's wrong with you ... why don't you smile?

He'll sleep in your bed, your bed, your hat

Why or why be a dog when you can be cat ...

Why are cats so nimble? This question has always fascinated me since childhood when we had cats and dogs as pets.

 The answer is evolution has blessed cats with a combination of physical traits and evolutionary adaptations:

1. Flexible spine with a total of 53 vertebrae, 3 more than other animals. This allows for greater twisting and arching motions, crucial for agility and balance.

2. Powerful long hind legs that give cats explosive power for jumping and sprinting, helping them scale heights and land gracefully.

3. Low body weight: Their light body mass reduces impact when landing and makes quick directional changes easier.

4. Highly developed vestibular system in the inner ear, this is the sensory system in the body responsible for maintaining balance, spatial orientation, and coordination of movement. It helps you keep posture, stabilize the head and body during movement, and maintain equilibrium.—even mid-air—enabling their famous righting reflex enabling them to land on their feet. Caution: Don't try this at home

5. Retractable claws and padded paws provide grip for climbing and precise movement, while their soft pads help with silent, controlled landings.