JUMP!
Short answer: Peacock spiders (genus Maratus) are tiny Australian jumping spiders, most only about 4 to 6 millimeters long. Males raise a brightly colored flap on the abdomen, like a peacock's tail, and court females with leg waves, vibrations and side-to-side steps.
Females may attack males whose display fails to impress. The footage shows a male displaying.
What should you know about JUMP!?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
Peacock spiders are Maratus.
Most are 4 to 6 mm long.
Video transcript: JUMP!: A Male Peacock Spider Courts With a Fan of Color and a Dance
Did you know the jumping peacock spider is a tiny, yet vibrant species known for its striking colors and impressive courtship displays? Males of the species raise a brightly colored flap on their abdomen, much like a peacock's tail, and perform a unique dance to attract females. This dance includes rhythmic leg waves, abdomen vibrations, and intricate side-to-side movements. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 19.4s Reel ·
The write-up
A male peacock spider courts with a fan of color and a dance. The spider is only a few millimeters long.
- Exhibit A
Genus
Peacock spiders are Maratus.
- Exhibit B
Size
Most are 4 to 6 mm long.
- Exhibit C
Flap
Males raise a colored flap.
- Exhibit D
Dance
They wave legs and vibrate.
- Exhibit E
Range
Most live in Australia.
Questions people ask about JUMP!
Where do most peacock spiders live?
Endemic mostly.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Genus) · Wikipedia: Maratus
Who displays?
Courtship.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Size) · Wikipedia: Maratus
What do males raise?
Colorful.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flap) · Wikipedia: Maratus
About how big are they?
Tiny.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Dance) · Wikipedia: Maratus
What kind of spider?
Salticidae.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Range) · Wikipedia: Maratus
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
Where do most peacock spiders live?
- Australia
- Canada
- Iceland
- Peru
Show the answer
Answer: A. Australia Endemic mostly. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Genus) · Wikipedia: Maratus
Who displays?
- Males
- Females
- Juveniles
- Both equally
Show the answer
Answer: A. Males Courtship. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Size) · Wikipedia: Maratus
What do males raise?
- An abdominal flap
- Their fangs
- A web
- A leaf
Show the answer
Answer: A. An abdominal flap Colorful. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flap) · Wikipedia: Maratus
About how big are they?
- 4 to 6 mm
- 5 cm
- 20 cm
- 1 m
Show the answer
Answer: A. 4 to 6 mm Tiny. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Dance) · Wikipedia: Maratus
What kind of spider?
- Jumping spider
- Orb weaver
- Tarantula
- Wolf spider
Show the answer
Answer: A. Jumping spider Salticidae. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Range) · Wikipedia: Maratus
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "JUMP!." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-343, last updated Oct 13, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/jump/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/jump/ · Last updated
Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-343-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/jump/#DD-343-F01
