The answer
- Cats have relatively large surface areas in proportion to their weight, so fall at a slower rate over a great height than larger mammals
- Their bodies have evolved to allow them to survive falls from trees, their natural homes
- Given the time, they twist to land on their feet
- Their legs are long, muscular and extend under the body rather than straight down, allowing them to absorb the shock
- But many cats who fall from heights are nevertheless severely injured and some die
