2026.04.30
High Flexibility of the Feline Thorax: New Insights into the “Cat-Righting Reflex”
The “cat-righting reflex,” the remarkable ability of cats to reorient their bodies in mid-air and land on their feet, has long been a subject of scientific mystery. A research group led by Assistant Professor Yasuo Higurashi of the Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, has conducted precise measurements of the torsional (twisting) stiffness of the feline spine (thoracic and lumbar vertebrae).
The study revealed for the first time that the feline thoracic vertebrae possess an extremely high capacity for twisting. This data serves as a crucial key to elucidating the unique, flexible movements of cats that are not observed in other animals, such as dogs.
These research findings were published in the academic journal The Anatomical Record on February 24, 2026.
- Division of Translational Research for One Medicine
- Makoto Habara（Basic Veterinary Science Medicine）
- Shiki Okamoto（Basic Veterinary Science Medicine）
- Kyoko Yoshizaki（Pathogenetic and Preventive Veterinary Science）
- Masaru Sakurai（Pathogenetic and Preventive Veterinary Science）
- Journal：The Anatomical Record
- Title：Torsional flexibility of the thoracic spine is superior to that of the lumbar spine in cats: Implications for the falling cat problem
- Authors：Yasuo Higurashi, Yasufumi Kaino, Makoto Habara, Shiki Okamoto, Kyoko Yoshizaki, Masashi Sakurai, and Masahiro Morimoto
- Publication Date：February 24, 2026
- DOI：10.1002/ar.70165
- Link：https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70165
- The New York Times Web sight
- 「Why Falling Cats Always Seem to Land on Their Feet」
- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/science/falling-cat-problem.html
- ＜Research Inquiries＞
- Assistant Professor Yasuo Higurashi
- Basic Veterinary Science, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University
- TEL：083-933-5884
- E-mail：higu@（followed by yamaguchi-u.ac.jp）
- ＜Regarding public relations＞
- Yamaguchi University Research Institute for Cell Design Medical Science (Life Science Support Section, Academic Research Division)
- TEL: 0836-85-3065
- E-mail: sh088@ ( followed by yamaguchi-u.ac.jp)