[2] The mite is endemic to Southern California and is usually observed darting amongst sidewalks and in rocky areas.

It was classified and named as Tarsotomus macropalpis by Nathan Banks whose report in 1916 was[5] A large species, rather sparsely bristly.

[7] The cheetah, the fastest land animal, which has been clocked at a peak of 64 mph (103 km/h; 29 m/s),[8] scores at only 16 body lengths per second.

To withstand desiccation due to the high temperatures, the mites displays an extreme resistance to water loss.

This finding is considered by the research team as opening new possibilities in the design of robots and in biomimetics.