Landing Feet-First Is a Reflex
Videos of falling raccoons usually end with the animals landing on their feet or bellies and immediately scampering away. The aerial righting reflex is the scientific term for an animal's ability to turn its feet down in midair, even if it initially falls backward from a vertical surface. Besides raccoons, researchers also have documented this amazing behaviour in these other animals:- Cats
- Guinea pigs
- Rats
- Lizards
- Insects
- Primates
Raccoons Change Shape While Falling
In the same way that Olympic divers change the orientation of their arms and legs to achieve splashless landings, a raccoon’s instincts cause it to assume an advantageous position during freefall. Not only does it flip its entire body around so that its belly hits first, but it also arches its back and stretches out its front and back legs. This configuration makes its entire body resemble a parachute and is reminiscent of a flying squirrel gliding from tree to tree. Raccoons must coordinate the movements of many body parts to achieve the desired landing position. Here are some of the anatomical structures involved:- Spine – Raccoons bend and flex the front and back of their spines, with rotation in the neck area being especially important.
- Limbs – A raccoon can use its shoulders, hips, and legs to help flip itself around before extending them out for the landing.
- Tail – Because raccoons have bones and muscles hidden within their fluffy tails, they can use the structure to create torque in the same way falling lizards do.
- Muscles – Despite the stressful situation, raccoons relax all their muscles when they fall. This behaviour allows their bodies to splay out and absorb the impact without breaking any bones.
