This Spider’s Dance is a Matter of Life and Death

The peacock jumping spider, also known as Maratus volans, has earned a reputation as the world’s cutest spider. This furry arachnid is a friend to all, and it has the dance moves to prove it. While its quick step is impressive, this interpretive move is more than entertainment. Jumping spiders like the one in this video by @australiangeographic communicate in bizarre but fascinating ways.

Dancing Means Life or Death

The dance of a jumping spider is unbelievably intricate. Each body part operates independently to signify interest to a female spider. A male’s arms might wave in the air while his abdomen taps the ground. He might slam his front legs down while flicking his multi-colored body upward. Anything goes during these dances, and each species of jumping spider has its own specific rhythm. However, that’s not to say each dance isn’t unique.

In addition to dancing, jumping spiders create vibrations on the ground. These vibrations reach the female through sounds at a frequency only they can hear. Each dance is choreographed in time with movement, making for a steep competition among males. This mating ritual will only be successful if a female is impressed with the display before her. If she’s not, it spells bad news for the male. Females are ruthless during mating rituals and won’t hesitate to devour a male that doesn’t live up to her expectations. Male jumping spiders risk dying in an attempt at reproducing, and their lives hang in the balance during each dance. This form of cannibalism is common among certain spider species and increases a female’s chance of finding a suitable male partner.

The Intricacies of the Dance

This video shows a peacock jumping a spider during his mating dance. While the video is only seconds long, the dance can last up to nearly one hour. Depending on how intricately and coordinated the male moves, females may have a longer attention span. Peacock jumping spiders have one thing others don’t: a vibrantly colored abdomen. They can flip their abdomens up to display these vivid patterns, thus enhancing their dance similarly to a male peacock who might entice a female with his feathers.

The unusual way these spiders move is part of their allure. Most species raise their legs in defense or as they rear up to attack. In contrast, jumping spiders use their eight appendages to create complex dance moves that are usually too quick for the human eye. Although their movements are often too fast for us to follow, female spiders can easily keep up with males. Their sharp vision helps them follow motion and allows them to see various colors. The bolder a male’s bottom, so to speak, the more interested a female will be.

Jumping Spiders As Pets

Peacock jumping spiders are native to Australia, where they perform mating rituals in the wild. The species most people keep as pets are the Regal and Bold jumping spiders. Caring for these is relatively simple, making them easy pets. These spiders are larger in size compared to other jumping species and have quirky but docile temperaments. Their coloring is the most significant difference between these species and the peacock jumping spiders. Regal and Bold jumping spiders do not have the same bright patterns. However, they do share one similarity: their dance moves!