Why cats can compress their bodies
Cats are extremely agile animals, able to squeeze into small spaces with ease and even compress themselves to incredible extents. This ability not only makes cats excellent hunters, but also makes them “influencers” on social media. This article will explore why cats can compress their bodies, and analyze the scientific principles of this phenomenon based on hot topics in the past 10 days.
1. Cat’s body structure characteristics

Cats' skeletal and muscular structure gives them great flexibility. Here are the key features of a cat’s body structure:
| Features | function |
|---|---|
| No solid clavicle | The cat's collarbone degenerates, making its forelimbs more flexible and able to squeeze through narrow spaces |
| elastic spine | The spine is composed of 53 vertebrae (only 33 in humans) and can bend greatly |
| loose skin | The skin is loosely connected to the muscles, allowing the body to deform in a limited space |
2. The “cat compression” phenomenon among hot topics in the past 10 days
In the past 10 days, there has been an endless stream of interesting content about cats on social media. Here are some popular topics:
| topic | heat index |
|---|---|
| "The cat got into the delivery box" challenge | 1,200,000+ |
| "Cat liquid" phenomenon (refers to cats spreading out like liquid) | 950,000+ |
| Funny video of cat hiding in vase | 800,000+ |
| Scientists explain cat's body flexibility | 500,000+ |
3. Scientific explanation of cats compressing their bodies
Cats are able to compress their bodies not just because of bone and muscle flexibility, but also because of factors such as:
1.evolutionary advantage: The ancestors of cats need to get into caves or gaps to hunt, and this ability has been retained.
2.psychological factors: Cats like small spaces because they provide a sense of security.
3.body proportions: Cats are smaller in size but have limbs and torso proportions that favor compression.
4. How to determine the compression limit of a cat?
Although cats are flexible, they can still be injured by excessive squeezing. Here is a guide to determine if your cat is safe:
| indicator | safety range |
|---|---|
| respiratory rate | 20-30 times/minute (if it is rapid, it may cause discomfort) |
| body posture | Ability to adjust posture freely without stiffness |
| emotional state | No anxiety or struggling behavior |
5. Summary
Cats’ ability to compress is the result of a combination of evolution, physiology, and behavioral habits. Although this characteristic makes them cute and magical, owners still need to pay attention to their cats' safety and avoid excessive squeezing. If your cat also likes to get into small boxes or gaps, you might as well record these interesting moments. Maybe the next hot topic will be your cat!
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