Cats have the remarkable ability to compress their bodies to fit through seemingly impossible small openings. What secrets within their anatomy grant them this extraordinary capability?
In humans, the shoulder joint connects the scapula to the clavicle, forming a shoulder framework that supports the arm muscles.
The “key” to a cat’s ability to “flow” like a liquid through very tight spaces lies in their unique shoulder joint.
In cats, however, the scapula connects to the rest of the body solely through muscle, without any other bones involved. The clavicle connects similarly to the other parts of the body. Moreover, a cat’s clavicle is significantly smaller in proportion to their body compared to that of humans.
These anatomical features allow cats to shrink their bodies to squeeze through very small openings. Their adaptability to narrow spaces is an evolutionary advantage when hunting small prey like mice, as well as for hiding and escaping from predators that consider cats as food.
Additionally, the whiskers on their cheeks also aid cats in navigating tight gaps. Cat whiskers are thicker than regular fur and are embedded three times deeper into the skin than other hairs.
The base of these whiskers contains a high density of nerve endings, providing cats with a highly sensitive spatial awareness system that transmits a vast amount of information about their surroundings. They can also gauge their own body size when approaching small openings to figure out how to pass through.
Researchers have studied this phenomenon and found that cats take long and swift steps through tall and narrow gaps, even if the gaps are narrower than their chest width. However, they slow down before making contact and while traversing short gaps.
Researchers explain that the way cats navigate narrow but long spaces versus short narrow openings demonstrates their awareness of their own body size and their ability to move accordingly.
A small gap under a fence is no challenge for a kitten. (Image: Getty Images).
So, why do cats enjoy squeezing into tight spaces?
According to scientists, cats often choose to hide in confined spaces, such as under beds, when they feel scared or uncomfortable, as this behavior helps them feel safer. Cats also prefer small spaces when they need privacy, such as when they require time to escape from their surroundings.
Therefore, we should probably avoid disturbing a cat when it retreats to a small space, unless it is in a situation where we believe it could be in danger.
