What allows a cat to reorient itself in midair before landing?

A cat's ability to reorient itself in midair before landing is primarily due to its ability to manipulate its moment of inertia. This phenomenon is known as the "cat righting reflex." When a cat falls, it can adjust the orientation of its body without any external support by rotating specific body parts in opposite directions.

For instance, when a cat begins to fall, it first turns its head to face downward, followed by its front legs, allowing the rest of its body to rotate around this axis. By spreading its limbs and tucking or extending them as needed, the cat effectively alters its moment of inertia, allowing it to spin faster or slower during the fall. This capability gives the cat the agility to land on its feet most of the time, ensuring a safer landing and reducing the impact force experienced when it hits the ground.

Other factors, such as strong leg muscles and weight distribution, play roles in how a cat moves and behaves post-landing, but the primary mechanism for midair reorientation is its manipulation of moment of inertia.