I was wondering if anyone knows why there is a lower joint or articulation
on the leg close to the foot ?
I honestly have never seen this...only in Early generation cats.

At a guess, to help with jumping

hi
i was at colchester zoo on friday with my boy and i remember reading on the margay cat enclosure about there feet ,so have looked it up in the book and it reads - the margay is an accomplished climber.totally at home in the branches, it has specially adapted claws and ankle joints which can move through 180 degrees enabling it to move with almost monkey like ease amongst the tree tops.

Margays have been used in the breeding/outcrossing of bengals along with the alc
also has the ALC this ablility?
this could answer your question as both alc and margay are nocturnal tree dwelling cats? i dont know ! lol