Moroccan Flic-Flac Spider
When it comes to getting from point A to B in style, no
spider does it quite like the Moroccan flic-flac spider with a scientific name
Cebrennus rechenbergi. This spider was discovered in Moroccan sand dunes in 2014
by German scientist Ingo Rechenberg. Like a trained circus acrobat, this spider
is capable of propelling itself forward and backward through a series of
somersaults when threatened or provoked, a feat that no other spider in the
world has been found to share. This little trick of the flic-flac does a great
service in doubling its normal speed. This method of movement served as
inspiration for Dr. Rechenberg to construct a robot that moves in much the same
way, thus continuing the tradition of science looking to nature for insight.
While his robot is nowhere near its final stages of development, Rechenberg
plans to someday use it to survey the surface of Mars.
Trogloraptor
Not since 1890 has a newly discovered spider in America
required a new genus, family, and species to classify it. Meet the
trogloraptor, living proof that there are very few places on land, regardless
of condition, that a spider cannot call home. This handsome guy was discovered
in late summer 2012 living in cave systems in Oregon.This spider, unlike any
other, has special serrated talons at the end of each arm. This trait is where
it gets its charming name, which means “cave robber.” When it was found, it was
using these talon arms to suspend itself from the cave ceiling by a strand of
its own silk.As of now, there are theories that it could be a relative to the
goblin spider, but very little so far is known about these cave dwellers.
Attempts to feed the captured specimens have failed, showing that they prefer a
specific diet. This spider is so alien to us that even what they eat remains a
mystery.
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