The
cat is a hunter and predator and needs to be quick on its feet and extremely
agile. Its body is specifically designed for maximum speed from minimum effort.
Most of the time, a cat conserves its energy, but when it needs to, it is capable
of sprinting very fast. A cat can travel at a top speed of approximately 30
miles per hour over a short distance, enabling it to pounce on its prey before
it can escape. Whereas most animals have to spend much of their lives on the
ground, a cat has enviable coordination for climbing, jumping and balancing.
A
cat is extremely well coordinated because it possesses a very efficient system
for sending messages to the brain from its muscles and joints. It uses its tail
as a counterbalance when walking along a narrow place, in the same way as a
tightrope walker holds a long pole for balance.
All
cats are superb athletes and can perform an amazing repertoire of vertical,
horizontal and twisting leaps. A cat can jump up to five times its own height
in a single bound. Its strong hind leg muscles and flexible spin enable it to
thrust itself into the air and land again safely without injuring itself. A
cat will always look before it leaps, carefully assessing the distance before
taking off.
From
a tree or fence, a cat can patrol its territory and watch its prey without being
seen. Using its strong hind-leg muscles and gripping with its front claws, going
up is relatively easy, but coming down can be more difficult.
A cat's
balance and coordination are unsurpassed, and this has led to the belief that
a cat is able to withstand or fall from a great height. The cat's righting
reflex works automatically and quickly. The cat's eyes and balance organs
in the inner ear tell it where it is in space, and it lands on its feet.
