quote:Cats are so interesting to watch. They have great speed, stride, and can get their bodies into the most cramped spaces, and the most curious positions. There are a few reasons why this is so.
A cat’s spine can rotate more than the spines of most other animals, and their vertebrae have a special, flexible, elastic cushioning on the disks, which gives it even more flexibility. A flexible spine also contributes to the speed and grace of cats.
When cats run, their backs contract and extend to give them maximum stride. Their shoulder blades are not attached with bone, but with muscle, and this gives a cat even greater extension and speed. It is also the reason why cats can get themselves into tiny spaces, as they can squeeze their shoulders very tightly together.
Cheetah (or cat in general) genetic heritage seems to be a pretty specialized field, such that I'm not at all sure this topic is going to go anywhere. But I will reluctantly promote it.