THE PEACOCK SPIDER
Maratus volans
INSTITUTE CLASSIFICATION: Scientifically Fabulous
OFFICIAL STATUS: 🟢 REAL
ARCHIVE: Tiny Titans
CASE STATUS: Investigation Complete
KNOWN FOR
Being one of the greatest dancers in the animal kingdom.
Male Peacock Spiders perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females.
They can raise colourful display flaps.
Wave their legs.
Move their bodies.
Researchers call this:
Courtship behaviour.
The Peacock Spider calls it:
“Performance.”
ORIGIN & HABITAT
Peacock Spiders are found in Australia.
They can be found among leaf litter, vegetation and other places where nobody expects to discover a tiny dancing rainbow spider.
Their small size also makes them very easy to overlook.
Which is unfortunate.
They’ve apparently been practising.
CASE SUMMARY
Reports reaching Institute Headquarters described a tiny Australian spider displaying behaviour not normally associated with spiders.
Dancing.
Reports claimed it waves its legs.
Flashes brilliant colours.
Vibrates the ground.
And performs elaborate routines to attract a mate.
Some witnesses have even used the word: Moonwalk.
The Institute immediately opened an investigation.
CLAIMS UNDER INVESTIGATION
CLAIM #1
The Peacock Spider can dance.
CLAIM #2
Male Peacock Spiders display brilliant colours during their performances.
CLAIM #3
They wave their legs and vibrate during courtship.
CLAIM #4
A performance can continue for a surprisingly long time.
Initial Institute Assessment:
Spider? Possible.
Dancer? Questionable.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
The dancing is real.
Male Peacock Spiders use combinations of colour, movement and vibration during courtship.
The Institute’s book records that males can perform courtship dances lasting up to 50 minutes.
That is an extraordinary amount of dancing for something so tiny.
Particularly when the audience consists mainly of one female spider who may remain completely unimpressed.
RECOGNISED BY
Researchers should look for:
Tiny body
Large curious eyes
Furry little legs
Brilliant colours on males
Energetic jumping
Dramatic courtship performances
BEHAVIOR
When looking to attract a mate,
a Peacock Spider will
Warm Up
Stretch
Raise its colourful display flap
Perform an elaborate dance routine
Add several unnecessary flourishes
Wait for applause
TIPS
Remain calm
Do not interrupt a performance
Applauding is considered polite
Avoid laughing at the choreography
Never shout:
"GET ON WITH IT!"
The Peacock Spider takes its art very seriously
INSTITUTE FIELD NOTES
FIELD RESEARCHER #31
Type: Courtship Observation
Subject: Peacock Spider
9:04 am
Male Peacock Spider located.
Subject observed stretching.
Appears to be preparing for something.
9:06 am
Female enters observation area.
Subject immediately strikes pose.
9:07 am
Colourful display raised.
Dance begins.
9:09 am
Leg waving observed.
9:18 am
Dance continues.
Researchers becoming tired.
Subject appears unstoppable.
9:21 am
Female remains undecided.
Researchers confirm Peacock Spiders perform elaborate courtship dances.
Researchers also confirm female Peacock Spiders are extremely difficult to impress.
OFFICIAL FINDING
🟢 REAL
The evidence has been examined.
The colours are real.
The leg waving is real.
The courtship display is real.
The dancing is real.
Frankly, the Institute wasn’t expecting that.
Case classification: REAL.
JUNIOR RESEARCHER CHALLENGE
Tiny animals are often overlooked.
Choose a small creature in your backyard, school grounds or local environment and observe it carefully.
What does it do?
How does it move?
How does it communicate?
What might that behaviour be for?
You may discover that something very small is doing something extraordinary.
CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION
🎧 HEAR THE PEACOCK SPIDER INVESTIGATION
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INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF EXTREMELY QUESTIONABLE CREATURES
All creatures are presumed interesting until proven otherwise.