In Photos: New Spider Species Cartwheels Down Sand Dunes

Spider Gymnast

An image of a spider — (Image credit: Ingo Rechenberg)

An agile spider that somersaults down sand dunes has been discovered in the deserts of Morocco.

'Flic-Flac Spider'

The dancing arachnid has even been nicknamed the "flic-flac spider" for its gymnastic dexterity and has served as inspiration for a creepy-crawly robot.

Dancing Arachnid

The spider propels itself off the ground and moves its legs in a flic-flac motion to go uphill, downhill or on level ground.

Creepy-Crawly Robot

An image of a spider robot — (Image credit: Ingo Rechenberg)

The spider has served as inspiration for a creepy-crawly robot.

Tabbot and 'Tabacha'

The robot — named Tabbot after "Tabacha," which means spider in the Berber language — can move by both walking and turning somersaults, just like the creature it's modeled after.