Stunning slow motion shows how the African caracal can land on all four feet after an upside-down fall, manipulating its body to right itself before peacefully hitting the ground.
The video is a part of the BBC One educational program called Life in the Air, which reveals how animals around the world can seemingly defy gravity.
In the slow motion footage, the caracal can be seen falling through the air from a few feet above the ground.
Its body begins in a forward-facing position, but it quickly begins to arch itself, twisting and bending near the head and lower back.
While it may not look all that comfortable, this movement is just a part of the cat’s internal design.
The caracal’s flexible spine ‘allows them to rotate their front and back ends in different directions at the same time,’ the video explains.
This reflex helps animals to reorient their bodies after falling, but it’s thought to play a role in jumping and leaping as well.
The video is a part of the BBC One educational program called Life in the Air, which reveals how animals around the world can seemingly defy gravity.
In the slow motion footage, the caracal can be seen falling through the air from a few feet above the ground.
Its body begins in a forward-facing position, but it quickly begins to arch itself, twisting and bending near the head and lower back.
While it may not look all that comfortable, this movement is just a part of the cat’s internal design.
The caracal’s flexible spine ‘allows them to rotate their front and back ends in different directions at the same time,’ the video explains.
This reflex helps animals to reorient their bodies after falling, but it’s thought to play a role in jumping and leaping as well.
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Beautiful animal and graceful landing. Cats are amazing!