Flexible Spine Cats gain another tactical advantage, and the envy of much less flexible humans, from their extraordinary mobility and fluidity of body design. What allows the cat to contort itself into unusual positions? How can the creature comfortably curl into a perfect circle when sleeping, twitching its tail rhythmically across its nose? The secret to the cat's flexibility lies in the structure of its body. Between each of its 30 spinal vertebrae — five more than in a human — are thick discs of fibrocartilage that are as pliable as they are resilient. In addition, the cat's shoulder bones, or scapulae, are held to the sides of the body by muscle only, permitting movement in almost every direction. And unlike the motion-restricting collarbone of humans, cats have a tiny, muscle-attached "floating" clavicle. The resulting narrow chest accounts for the exceptionally long stride of cats and explains their talent for squeezing through tight spaces.
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How Cat Behavior Works
Communicating with your cat can be tricky. Understanding his behaviors is key. Learn more about what his sounds and movements mean at HowStuffWorks.com. Home Remedies for Overweight Cats Weight problems are very common in the feline world. There are things you can do to slim down your overweight cat. Visit HowStuffWorks.com for ideas on how to get your cat moving and to find out what to do when the extra pounds pose a problem. 
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