They may seem like delicate creatures to us, but the seahorse is actually a very tough creature, and its square-shaped tail appears to do a better job of withstanding attack than a round one — something that could be useful in the design of future robots.

A study published in the journal Science finds that researchers are looking to the seahorse for ideas on more flexible and durable robots, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

The seahorse’s tail is quite useful with its ability to grab things. It is composed of 36 segments that are square in shape, forming a box-like cross-section rather than a cylindrical one. It’s a bizarre feature of this amazing animal, especially considering the fact that the seahorse is aquatic and thus it would seem it would need a more streamlined shape for swimming.

This is a good indication to scientists that this shape is not an accident, but instead has a very good biomechanical purpose. And that’s why scientists are taking an especially close look at this feature.

Back when Michael Porter, the lead author of the study, began studying the material that makes up the skeletons of the seahorses while at UC San Diego, he was also at the same time trying to build a steerable catheter, and found that trying to make it round as opposed to square reduced the ability of the design. It indicated to him that perhaps he and his fellow scientists were underestimating the advantages of a square design.

With engineers working more on soft robotics, the mechanisms have so far been fairly weak, and rigid elements don’t work well with flexibility. The findings with the seahorses could allow scientists to built flexible, and yet strong, robots.