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Peacock Spider

Maratus volans

VenomousSafearachnids
2 Mostly harmless danger 2 out of 5
Peacock Spider
Photo by Jürgen Otto (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Jürgen Otto (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

What you should know

Peacock spiders are tiny jumping spiders from Australia, about the size of a pencil eraser, and they are famous for the males having brilliant rainbow-colored flaps on their belly. Even though they are technically venomous like all spiders, they are far too small to hurt a person and are considered safe to observe. You will not find them living wild in Florida since they come from Australia.

Whoa

The male peacock spider fans out his colorful belly flaps and performs a full rhythmic dance to impress a female, and if she does not find his moves good enough, she may try to eat him instead of becoming his mate.

Staying safe around it

This one is venomous, which means it can put venom into you with a bite or a sting. Never touch it, and never try to move it yourself. This one is genuinely harmless to people. Still look with your eyes and let it go about its day.

Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant. If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.

Source: Australian Museum

Read more about the peacock spider at Wikipedia.