Racing is one thing at which B. subtilis can beat its anthrax-causing cousin. B. anthracis is non-motile, while B subtilis is very motile. Most bacteria that can move, including B. subtilis, use flagella, which are long, whip-like tails. B. subtilis has peritrichous flagella, meaning the cell is covered in little tails. These flagella tails are observable with a light microscope using a specialized stain.