Four Kittens in a Tall Stack

About this drawing

A stack of kittens could only work with an animal that has such amazing balance. Cats stroll along narrow fence tops, jump onto high shelves and walk across crowded counters without knocking much over, at least when they do not want to.

Part of the secret is inside the ears. A fluid-filled area called the vestibular system tells the brain which way is up. Humans have one too, but a cat's reacts very fast. The tail helps as well, shifting from side to side like the long pole used by a tightrope walker.

The most famous trick is landing on their feet. This is called the righting reflex. When a cat starts to fall, it turns its head first, then its front half, then its back half, all in less than a second. Kittens begin showing this skill at just a few weeks old, around the time they start climbing and exploring.

Still, landing on four paws does not mean a cat is safe. A fall from a balcony or an upstairs window can cause serious injuries, so screens and railings matter. A far better place for practice is indoors, with cat trees, sturdy shelves and cardboard boxes to climb. Give a kitten those, and it will happily turn your living room into a jungle gym.

• kittens
• balance
• tower
• hearts