Cat that tilts backwards to get a view of its surroundings...

It's not my cat. I was at the shelter where I volunteer and, in the room with the feline, every once in a while he would stop and put his paws up on the wall, tilt backwards and look around upside-down, and then twist back onto all four paws and continue his exploring. It was very peculiar.

What I'm wondering is was he looking around upside-down (I've heard the theories that cats see upside-down when they're right-side-up) or was this just a habit? Is this a trait of a particular breed?

He was slightly long hair, white blended with silvers and grays, blue eyes (I think). This was a while ago and I've asked around but no one has any answers yet!

Thanks in advance for any help! I'm just really curious!

It does not happen all the time but it isn't unusual. I have seen a few of my cats climb up a tree and almost hang upside down to look around. And there were times when I thought they were napping in what to me was a very uncomfortable position, but actually were watching me upside down.

Cats seem to like to look at their world upside down. I usually say to them, "Do I look better upside down?" I don't get an answer of course!