Cat's 'Flying Squirrel Position' Saves It From 19 Story Fall Out Of Window

Good thing cats have nine lives, because this one may have used up a couple.

A Boston woman, Brittany Kirk, is saying it is a miracle that her cat, Sugar, survived after plummeting 19 stories out of a window in her apartment. The cat only sustained minor injuries with bruising to her lungs.

I look out my window all the time and I think, 'Wow, this is really high,' Kirk said. I think she probably used one or two or maybe eight [lives].

Cats have an instinctive ability to survive falls, it turns out. They can actually survive falls better from nine stories or higher. This is because at that height it gives the cat more time to orient into the flying squirrel position and gain the speed in order to glide like a flying squirrel, making them more prepared for impact.

The cats were able to relax, orient themselves in a flying squirrel position with the legs spread out. It slowed their descent down, Brian O'Connor, a manager with the Animal Rescue League said.

O'Connor said that cats have better chances when they fall from nine stories or higher.

Sugar is now home with Kirk.

I'm just so thankful, Kirk said. When I came home from work today and I saw her, I was just very thankful. It's a miracle.

Kirk is now having screens installed on her windows.