Research overview: the feline righting reflex

Cats are renowned for their ability to right themselves in mid-air and land on their feet, a behavior known as the righting reflex. This overview surveys how cats accomplish this, using vestibular and visual cues to sense their orientation and then twisting the body in a coordinated sequence to bring the feet downward. The maneuver involves rotating the front and rear of the body in stages while conserving angular momentum, allowing a falling cat to reorient even without any initial spin. The survey relates the righting reflex to the vestibular system that detects orientation and to the flexible feline spine that enables the twist. It discusses the developmental emergence of the reflex in kittens. Understanding the righting reflex connects balance sensing to a striking motor feat. It explains the proverbial ability of cats to land on their feet as a real, well-studied integration of sensory input and agile body control.