May 1, 2009

Pint-sized Peacock

Image copyright Jurgen Otto, used with permission

Prepare to be charmed, people. And if you're a lady, prepared to be wooed. He may not look like much, especially when perched upon your fingertip, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in style.

Say hello to the peacock spider (Maratus volans), UgO's latest inductee from Down Under. You'll find him festooned with all sorts of colors--colors the ladies can't get enough of. Here he is, courting one such lucky lady.












This is what he looks like in his full courtship posture. Note the third set of legs held high with pride. His abdomen is also looming, complete with twin, colorful flaps fully deployed.




















But you haven't seen the best of it. Not only does he flash his colors peacock-style, but he also does an irresistible dance, capering from side to side and shaking those extended legs. What lady could possibly say no?
























Here's what his wee spider bum looks like from below when the flaps are extended. You looked, didn't you? You cheeky bum-looker.



























I tell you what, if this spider were hamster-sized and good with children, it might be the most perfect pet ever.

Thanks for the peacock spider, Jade. My life just got a bit more colorful.

NOTE: All photos used with permission from Jurgen Otto. He can be contacted by email: jurgenotto at optusnet dot com dot au

17 comments:

Sabina E. said...

wow, it's beautiful! Never heard of this before...

Anonymous said...

Yay! He's beautiful! Of course, I'm partial to jumping spiders anyway, so I might be biased.

janeinane said...

Oh, my! *fans self*

Jenny Reiswig said...

WOW I've never had such a great look at a spider bum before. What a hot dude!

Unknown said...

anyone else reminded of the guy with the rainbow afro and the bible verse?

~Story said...

i want to see a video of him dancin!!!

W. A. Whipple said...

Are we certain he's wooing a lady? Looks like he's in a sports-induced frenzy, "Touchdown!" (And football fans are a colorful lot, themselves.)

Anonymous said...

Wow! He is really gorgeous! Too bad
he is so itty bitty, tho. 'Cos you're right RW, he would be a very purty pet.

Unknown said...

This is the first spider post that didn't squick me.

Anonymous said...

Arachnophile here. :) Still trying to figure out how to blog. :-p

This is why I LOVE this site so MUCH!

All of the beauty of the World around us happens EVERY DAY, right under our noses. :)

Mega-gratz for these amazing photo's... AS ALWAYS!!!

Raging Wombat said...

Glad to have you back, arachnophile.

Vanessa said...

Ok, that is my new favourite spider of all time. Nature never runs out of miracles.

Seindria said...

... I want one! (as a stuffed animal, I fear I would lose him as a pet!)

Anonymous said...

That is the most macro-able spider I've ever seen.

"ALL HAIL SPI-DOR."

"Yatta!"

"L'chaim!"

So many possibilities!

Anonymous said...

Awesome spider! If only it were as big as the Phidippus jumping spiders I'd want one!

Anonymous said...

My name is Jurgen Otto and I am the photographer who took these peacock spider images. I am glac people like them. However, could anyone who intends to copy or use these images please get in touch with me prior of doing so and seek permission. Usually I am quite happy for these images to be used, as you will agree this is a wonderful animal that deserves to get some publicity. However, I would like to keep some control over the use of these images and some types of use may incur a license fee. And please, if you use them it is only fair to acknowledge me as the photographer. If you want to get in touch my email is jurgenotto@optusnet.com.au

games said...

Is like a rainbow spider but still scary :-)