In Australia there are many species of Spider,
but one very small variety, found so far only in Queensland and New South
Wales, is ‘Maratus Volans’. Also known as the Jumping Peacock Spider, the
miniature males have truly amazing colours of iridescent red, green and blue,
among others. The head and breast parts of this spectacular beast are usually
very dark with red stripes, while the upper abdomen area is green, blue and
red. That is not the end of the story, however, because, like peacocks, male
spiders also possess a sort of cape or flap around their abdomen which they can
raise for display whilst courting.
These
dramatic-looking spiders may seem like they're getting ready to attack, but
this colorful display from male peacock spiders is in fact a mating ritual.
Similar to
peacock birds, where this spider gets its nickname from, the male flashes it’s
brightly colored, iridescent stomach flaps in a bid to attract females. And even if these arachnids did attack, they
wouldn't get far because the adults only grow to about 5mm long.
Male peacock
spiders extend their legs and flash their colorful, iridescent abdominal flaps
to attract a mate.
Peacock
spiders are members of the jumping spider’s family, renowned for being tiny.
Adults only grow up to around 5mm in length.
While the
male peacock spiders carry out their mating ritual, the females carefully study
the coloring, vibrations and movements to make sure the potential suitor is
healthy and the correct species to mate with.
This is the
Maratus harrisi species of peacock spider that is traditionally found in the
Namadgi National Park in New South Wales. The ruler is shown for scale.
When a male
peacock spider senses a female it will begin the mating ritual by lifting its
legs and flashing its stomach in a sequence that looks like a dance routine.
The females
carefully study the coloring, vibrations and movements of the male to make sure
the potential suitor is healthy and the correct species to mate with.
Once he has
mated, he will repeat this dance with as many females as he can find and
Maratus spiders can have multiple partners at one time.
There are 20
known species of peacock spiders living in Australia, yet they're so hard to
come by only eight have been formally identified.
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