We have a bug up here like that called : Alaus melanops aka (Western) Eyed Click Beatle.
Yours looks a little different, perhaps Alaus zunianus.
Here is a link where you can see all 4 species
http://bugguide.net/node/view/264/tree Just click a species and then images at the top.
Supposedly they have a survival machanism where (when placed on their back) they "click" an their body throws itself violently away from the predator.
Mabe thats why its legs contract soo close.
I assume yours must have been dead or close to it when you found it?.