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Please read the article Why Cats Have Nine Lives by Jared Diamond. Our analysis did not attempt to
answer the question of "Why" cats survive they way they do from different heights. What are some of
the assumptions the author makes that he uses in an attempt to answer this new question?

Respuesta :

The author assumes that the question can be answered by applying principles of anatomy, physics and evolutionary biology. First reason he suggests is that cats are small and they have a favourable mass-surface area ratio. Next, he suggests that cats have soft tissues that absorb the shock and they land on all four limbs, dividing the shock. This is because of their body shape and its centre of gravity. He says that felines have this kind of body structure (that canines lack) because years of falling from trees etc. has evolved their body in this way.

The following assumptions that stem from the Straightforward theory were used by the author to explain why cats have nine lives. They include;

  • The larger mass of bigger animals causes more impact stress on landing.
  • The unique vestibular systems of the cats and the gyroscopic turns they make that have their four feet pointing downwards before landing.
  • The cats reach terminal velocity faster and extend their limbs reflexly to absorb the shock from the fall.
  • The dissipation of the impact force due to their flexed limbs.
  • Lastly, their evolutionary history that has seen them falling from trees frequently over the years.

In his article, Jared Diamond profers several reasons why he believes that cats tend to suffer fewer injuries and fatalities after falling from different heights.

He believes that their mass which is lower in comparison to humans makes it possible for them to not suffer much impact force on landing.

The gyroscopic turns they make before landing makes it easier for them to land on their four feet thus suffering fewer injuries to the arms.

Their evolutionary history is another factor. Over the years, they have adapted so well to falling from heights.

Learn more here:

https://brainly.com/question/19797436

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