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Peacock Spider

rare

Peacock Spider

Maratus volans

Habitat
Eastern & southern Australia, dry scrubland
Body length
5 mm
Order
Araneae · Salticidae

Weird but real

Five millimeters long. Males perform an elaborate dance with a rainbow-patterned flap they unfold from their abdomen.

Why it's cool

Tiny disco diva. The courtship display is more choreographed than most bird dances.

Photographs

Flying Peacock Spider (Maratus volans)
Nigel Main · CC BY 4.0 · source
Truly exceptional image of a male Maratus volans peacock spider, donated by the original author.
Jürgen Otto · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source