posted December 10, 2017 06:04 AM            

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Who needs a dog when you can have a peacock spider?
Seriously, these things are adorable.
CHLOE HATZITOLIOS - JUN 1

This week, Peacock spider expert Jurgen Otto (dubbed Peacock Spiderman) released his discovery of seven new types of Peacock spiders. What is a Peacock spider, you ask? Only the coolest looking, weirdest behaving spider you’ve ever seen. Apparently Australia has been keeping these babies under wraps for years. How are we just hearing about these now?
Just look at them! Not only are they beautiful, these spiders don’t act like your (creepy) everyday arachnids. Otto says they actually “behave like cats and dogs, moving around, perceiving and reacting to their environment.” And good news: he also confirms that there is no law against keeping these little guys as pets! Sign us up!

Like almost everything in Australia, these spiders are venomous, but they’re so tiny (about 5 mm max.) they can’t puncture human skin, so you’re safe.

Plus, Otto has been pretty creative with naming. Meet two of our favourites: ‘Sparklemuffin’ and ‘Skeletorus.’ Yes, those are their nicknames.
And if all that isn’t enough to make you want to fly to Australia and pick up some of these cuties, their mating ritual will definitely convince you. Male spiders dance and wave around those colourful butts of theirs to attract female attention. Just look at them go!
Males have to be a pretty good dancers if they want a shot with the ladies though. If a female is unimpressed by a male’s dance or she feels like he’s coming on too strong, she’ll kill and eat him. Don’t mess with an unaroused lady peacock spider. She’ll end you.
Males have to be a pretty good dancers if they want a shot with the ladies though. If a female is unimpressed by a male’s dance or she feels like he’s coming on too strong, she’ll kill and eat him. Don’t mess with an unaroused lady peacock spider. She’ll end you.
Basically, these spiders are so cool, they don’t even seem like spiders. They just look like fluffy little stuffed animals! We want 50.

For more crazy pics and videos of these amazing little bugs, check out Jurgen Otto’s Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. For more details and PICTURES see:
http://www.theloop.ca/who-needs-a-dog-when-you-can-have-a-peacock-spider/

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posted January 28, 2018 12:22 AM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
I know one that sits on her owner's shoulder or on top of a hat on his head and loves to be played with. It's like she thinks she's a kitten! When he plays too rough, she touches him with her fangs to let him know.

But she doesn't bite.

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posted January 28, 2018 12:25 AM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
This one looks like it would run away if you let it out. Tarantulas stick around like a dog. They like attention.

But it might dance first, before it takes off.

It's hypnotic. Maybe that's the idea.

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