How Fast Is Domestic Cat?

House cats sprint at 48 km/h — faster than any human who ever lived. Even Usain Bolt at his peak would lose to the average house cat in a 50-metre dash. Cats are nature's perfectly engineered ambush predators in miniature.

Cats have a unique 'righting reflex' — when dropped, they twist their flexible spine to land feet-first within 0.3 seconds, regardless of starting orientation.

• Faster than Usain Bolt
• Your house cat could out-sprint you