Posted on 05/27/2016 11:46:49 PM PDT by JoeProBono
A Sydney scientist has discovered seven new species of peacock spiders — a tiny and colourful arachnid that lurks in scrub and bushland across southern Australia. Key points:
The spectacular creatures are found all over Australia Scientist believes there are now 48 confirmed species of spider Their movements and colours help attract females
The man who made the discovery, Jurgen Otto, said he believed even the most extreme arachnophobes would be enchanted by the beauty of the creatures, which are just a few millimetres in length. Audio: Listen to Jake Sturmer's story on AM (AM)
"They're just absolutely incredible. People still think that I make them up because they're so unbelievable," Dr Otto said.
"People can't picture that they're such a package of beauty."
While it is hard to imagine someone describing a spider in such a way, one look at the spectacular images Dr Otto has captured explains his passion.
"Normally people think of spiders as something ugly, scary and dangerous, but they're learning through my photographs and videos — they're cute and colourful and adorable," he said.
"Even people who hate spiders, extreme arachnophobes love these spiders. They can't help it."
At only a few millimetres in size, Dr Otto said he believed there are now 48 confirmed species of spider within the Maratus genus.
Oh hell no! Now I’m never going to get back to sleep. I want my Mommy!
Does seeing how big they are help any?
Yes! Immensely.
At least it’s not a new, more aggressive and venomous variety of funnelweb.
Not at all!
I see they are tiny, but I still have no desire to push up the attic door to open it, only to have 40K of those ‘adorable’ spiders rain down onto my head face and shoulders.
Here’s a great video of the spider with some really nice Didgeridoo music. Enjoy. (3 min long)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_yYC5r8xMI
nice video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlcqlXJFTxE
==8-O
It's still a spider to me, squish.
Funny..gave me a laugh
There is nothing remotely cute about that horrible thing!!!!!! Aieeeeeeeee!!!!!
With that face-looking thing on his butt they should probably be playing ‘I am the Witch Doctor’ by Alvin and the Chips.
Some spiders have 6 eyes
http://www.mdavid.com.au/spiders/eyes.shtml
but the Peacock spiders have 8 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982214005910
One day I’m in one of the big Jewish cemeteries in NY. I’m sitting on an Ivy covered grave cutting an inscription. I shutdown the blast tank and take off my hood to check the depth...and there are THOUSAND of very tiny extremely fast moving black spiders EVVVEEERRRRYYYYWHERE. The Ivy apparently was their cover. Their tiny size DID NOT MAKE THEM CUTE! I was itchy for the rest of the week.
Your safe place is teaming with them! RUN! RUN!
ooooh eeeeee ooooh ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang...
Ooooh eeeeee
ooooh ah ah
ting tang
walls walla
bing bang.
Now THAT will be in my head all day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmjrTcYMqBM
If they are from Australia, then I presume one bite from that little sucker and you’re dead within three minutes.
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