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When a cat runs or jumps, the strong muscles of its hind legs provide the thrust. A cat can jump many times its own body length. One of the largest muscles of the hind leg is the gastrocnemius muscle. It is attached to the heel bone by the Achilles' tendon. When a human or a cat crouches, pushing the heel to the ground, the tendon is stretched like a rubber band. |
| When the cat crouches before it springs, it stretches the tendons and muscles of its legs, storing elastic energy. Just as the stretched rubber bands of a slingshot throw a pebble forward, the tendons of the cat's leg muscles rebound and help thrust the cat forward and upward. |
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Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation. All photographic images contained within these Web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced or utilized in any manner without the express written consent of the owner. Sketch by Wendy Smith-Griswold. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation Photograph of jumper by Julie Pfaffinger. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation Page design by Jim Angus |