I came here to post the same thing, after hearing about these studies on Radiolab's recent episode on falling. If I remember correctly, another theory that they

I came here to post the same thing, after hearing about these studies on Radiolab's recent episode on falling. If I remember correctly, another theory that they discussed was that after the cat reaches terminal velocity it relaxes its body since it is no longer distressed from the acceleration. That episode was another great one, I think the whole show is something a lot of HN readers would enjoy. Here's the link to that segment: http://www.radiolab.org/2010/sep/20/taking-plunge/ http://www.radiolab.org/2010/sep/20/taking-plunge/