Remind me not to visit Morocco -- action behind the cut

A new species of spider has been discovered in Morocco, and it’s quite the gymnast. Cebrennus rechenbergi, which lives in the sand desert Erg Chebbi, is the first species of spider documented to project itself across the sand through cartwheel-like motions. The discovery has been published in the journal Zootaxa.

A similar tumbleweed style spider has been previously described, the golden rolling spider, but this spider is restricted in its agility since it is only able to roll down hills. The arachnid acrobat C. rechenbergi in contrast can propel itself off the ground and initiate “flic-flac” jumps that allow it to travel both along flat ground and uphill. Impressively, this bizarre skill allows the spider to move twice as fast as if it were walking, around two meters per second, and uses it as a getaway card when potential predators approach.

This intriguing spider is also quite the architect; it uses its silk threads to build tubular structures in the sand that protect it from the blaring sun and predators.


Read more at http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/cartwheeling-spider-discovered#gSco1kezIXh1Cd6A.99

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Drabblerotic 2014 - Y is for Yarn

Title: Old Tales and Memories
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 200
Prompt: Y is for Yarn


The crackle of the tavern hearth’s smoky fire was the only sound other than the old man’s voice recounting a boyhood tale. Most had heard the yarn before but stilled to listen as it was spun into the room.

“The prince was riding through the surf, casting up great splashes of water. By and by he came upon a large rock projecting out into the waves, its surface wetted by eager sea spray that tongued at the figure upon it.” Old Ned took a drink. “Greatly curious was the prince and he tried to ride to it but his horse would not. And so the prince then threw off his rich clothing, knowing it would weight him down and swam out himself. There against the damp black surface lay, with lithe limbs and face fair and other things to make this old man blush, one that enchanted him. T’is said he joined with his selkie lover, and lives with him in the depths even today.”

“Enchanted,” Caspian shook his head smiling as they meandered down to the shore, “don’t think I noticed your fair face. It was your…”

“Hush you,” Ffelaine cupped Caspian’s ass in the moonlight. “It was romantic.”