Here's how it works:
* Flexible Spine: Cats have an incredibly flexible spine, allowing them to twist and contort their bodies in mid-air. This helps them orient themselves in the right position for landing.
* Strong Muscles: Their strong muscles, particularly in their legs and tail, provide the power and control needed to rotate their bodies and adjust their posture.
* Righting Reflex: This is a crucial instinctual response that kicks in when a cat is in freefall. It involves a series of neurological and muscular actions that help them regain their balance and align their body with their feet facing down. This reflex allows them to twist and contort their body in mid-air to land on their paws.
While their ears are sensitive and provide information about their surroundings, they don't play a direct role in the landing process. However, their ears do help them maintain balance and navigate their environment, which indirectly contributes to their ability to land safely.
So, to summarize, it's not the ears that help cats land on their feet, but rather their amazing physical attributes and a natural reflex.