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Peacock Spider - Maratus volans - Display

Peacock Spider - Maratus volans - Display

(Maratus volans) This amazing and beautiful little spider is only 4 mm long. He is becoming quite well known around the world these days because of his amazing ...
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(Maratus volans) This amazing and beautiful little spider is only 4 mm long. He is becoming quite well known around the world these days because of his amazing courtship display. The Maratus or Peacock Spider family are only found in Australia, what makes them special apart from their beautiful appearance and intelligence, is it's courtship display. When a male (pictured above) sees a female, he immediately raises his third pair of legs, which have white hairs at the ends and waves them in the air to grab her attention. When he knows she is watching he extends his brightly colored abdominal flaps and raises his abdomen like a peacock (hence the name), he then proceeds to shake his abdomen and dance from side to side. While doing this dance he slowly gets closer and closer to the female, if successful the female will allow him to mate, if unsuccessful he becomes lunch. Here is a link video I recorded of this amazing display https:--www.youtube.com-watch?v=nxK4zgzLNtE
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