Peacock Spider 1 (Maratus volans)

Courtship of peacock spider Maratus volans from Australia. The FIRST EVER footage of this spider, shot in the wild. The video with which I introduced David Attenborough to peacock spiders. If you want to see it and related scenes unedited and in higher resolution (HD) head to my Vimeo channel
vimeo.com/album/5893659
If you watch the episode courtship in "Life stories" you might get the impression that the female of this species eats the male after they mated. This is "artistic licence". I watched them mating countless times and have not once observed the male being eaten by the female after they mated. Males get sometimes eaten by females, that is true, but this does not seem to involve the male they actually mated with, but rather those that are "silly" enough to continue to court gravid (fertilised) females. From the female's perspective these males have become useless as partner but are very useful as additional nourishment for her developing brood, they die anyway at the end of the season, whether they are eaten by females or not.
I also doubt that females judge the male's performance and eat those that don't stack up. From what I have seen virgin females will mate with pretty much every male they come across, it seems to be more a matter of the right place and time rather than the quality of its performance, but I believe that is still being studied and it will be interesting to see the results of that. If a female is not happy to mate with a particular female her first reaction is to walk away from him, as you would expect.
For updates on my peacock spider filming or photography visit / peacockspider
For still photographs of this species visit my flickr album
www.flickr.com/photos/59431731...
Related species
www.flickr.com/photos/5943173...
For licensing inquiries contact [e-mail]

[@Macakiux]

All jumping spiders are cute, but the ones in this video play in the puppies and kittens league of cuteness.

[@Peacockspiderman]

Thank you Tehkella. This was my first ever video. I simply wanted to show this spider to the world and keep it authentic. I was aware of the sound "problem" because it was the way I filmed it, but I did not want to alter it or "pollute" it with music. Showing this spider in action, for the first time, was more important to me than worrying about editing details. I am glad I didn't know about any "editing rules" because I could experiment with the footage in such a wonderfully naive and free way

[@lilRadRidinHood]

After 9 years I see how much you have taught us all and learned about things yourself, like how to personally direct your reply to a commenter. We as a species are ALWAYS being educated! Thanks for these astonishing videos!

[@amyjt35]

And you did an excellent job at showing the peacock spider in action! I’ve seen several videos of them in the past 5 years, but this is in the top 3 and definitely a favorite!

[@wedmunds]

His peacock gets all the peachicks.

[@RandomCoconutz]

I'm actually petrified of small and medium skinny spiders, but I love jumping spiders and peacock spiders. It's so amazing!

[@lolsa123]

imagine it about 10times lager :P flee!!!

[@ShinogamiLealaii]

One of the few Australian spiders I don't mind watching, because its actually more cute than terrifying haha. Wonderful camera work Peacockspiderman, that was excellent and I can imagine very difficult to have done, congrats!

[@Peacockspiderman]

Thanks for your comment. It is tricky to film them, and it is always nice to see this appreciated

[@nerfwalljumper12]

All i can think every time they raise their tails...."TOUCHDOWWWNNN!!!!

[@clayslay1554]

Lol.

[@clayslay1554]

They'd probably be better referees than the actual refs! 😂

[@Camphreneas]

nerfwalljumper12 *legs

[@beatrizdearaujo8328]

Very beautiful work and this spider is absolutely adorable!

[@PJBovio]

Peacockspiderman, you've done it AGAIN!! ASTOUNDING, OUTSTANDING filming of these fascinated, gorgeous and totally heart-twisting creatures!!!! THANKS AGAIN A MILLION TIMES FOR SHARING!!

[@navyhusky2020]

WOTCH UR BACK M8

[@AspiePickerr]

Outstanding work on the research, videography and commentary Jurgen, stunning spiders too.

[@Peacockspiderman]

Aspie Pickerr Thanks

[@kevinestrada4725]

+Peacockspiderman You're making a remarkable contribution to science! Thank's for this great opportunity, a window to our mother nature and it's incredible creatures.

[@dianehuff4192]

I assumed you, "spiderMAN" and the guy in this video were 2 different people, which confused me. That's what I get for viewing them from back to front. LOL.

[@TheoryTheory2222]

congrats on being one of the fist if not the fist to document this kind of behaviour and so in depth too, very educational!

[@dogleghobag]

Absolutely incredible, and adorable, thank you so much for devoting your life to this so I could enjoy this footage!!

[@spiritofshiloh]

That peacock spider is adorable :)

[@mothwaltz4163]

its q cutie

[@BarbaraDelGiudice]

Wow Amazing! This spider dances very similar to some or the Birds of Paradise! Wow. We need to respect our little insect friends more!

[@InspireFPV]

but... spiders are arachnids :o

[@cmataira]

Thank you for lovely work! So enjoyed all your videos and sent them to many friends and posted on Facebook.

[@apetek12]

I genuinely enjoyed this video, then after reading the description i appreciated it even more. You are a swell guy.

[@brianeversham2985]

Absolutely stunning video, and congratulations on filming it all in the wild. Your comments about males being eaten reminds me of the situation in praying mantises. I've seen the southern European Mantis religiosa mating in the field several times, and have discussed with French entomologists who have watched it dozens of times, and never has the female eaten the male. But this is common behaviour in captivity. I wonder how much filmed behaviour is an artefact of the animals being kept in small containers. All the more important then, for researchers to study behaviour in nature. Thanks again for sharing, and for including a helpful and detailed commentary.

[@Peacockspiderman]

Brian Eversham You are absolutely right. Some males are likely eaten by the female, in particular at the end of the season when they die anyway and probably are in pretty bad state and are no longer alert enough. But I think it gets totally exaggerated and it is more likely to happen in captivity.

[@wawa1196]

*clap* *clap* *clap* HEY GIRL! *clap* *clap* HEY! *clap* *pulls out bright * sign* HEY GIRL DTF? *clap* *wave* *wave* *clap* OH SHIT BITCH IS HUNGRY! *runs away*

[@fitbullaussie9002]

LOL

[@chillynites1]

Thanks for the repeats and different angles of photography, really enjoyed seeing the slight variences... I, for one, am very glad you put in all the 'footage' that you did.

[@RImAPhan]

Much appreciation to whoever shot this video. So much hard work. :D Amazing little guy. :D

[@biokode]

Those colors and designs, wow!

[@SoraShadowdancer]

I was a little worried about having to watch this video for my Ecology class, because spiders give me the willies, but I actually spent most of this video laughing at the male spiders. "Hey, hey! Look at me, look at me!!" ;) I didn't find them scary. Their fuzzy little mouth pieces were actually kind of cute. Question about the end though: If the females disapprove of the male's mating dance will they attack them and eat them? O.o Is that what I saw there? Other than energy, what is the benefit to the females from eating the males?

[@Peacockspiderman]

If the female does not want to mate, which happens in the majority of cases she will simply move away or signal the male that she is not interested by raising her abdomen and wiggling it. The males sometimes then lose interest but sometimes they persist. Yes, females are capable of eating males, and I have shown that in the clip, but how often that actually happens I don't. Almost certainly females do not judge the males by their performance and mate with those they like and eat the ones they don't. That is something that got started by the BBC show Life Story, unfortunately. Females only mate once, and if such a virgin female comes across a male, she will almost certainly mate with him if the conditions are right. If females eat males then these females have mated already and have developing eggs in their body. If they then are also hungry then a male that is careless can become a victim. It is also a myth that the female eats the male after they mate, I have not once observed that.

[@wioi]

Peacockspiderman the females actually do judge the males by their performance, if the male does something wrong and don't go away fast he becomes a victim. Also after mating if the male does not go away fast enough the female would kill him and eat him, that's not a myth that is a fact.

[@VARIOUShorses]

@@wioi I'm sorry if you also happen to be an expert and just sound like you aren't, but correcting a guy who has literally named more individual species of Peacock Spiders than most will even see in their lives makes you sound totally obnoxious. If Otto - one of the leading figures in Peacock Spider research in Australia says something based on his own observation and you just dismiss it with your 'facts' you'd better have a damn scientific dissertation to back you up rather than an interpretation of a few nature documentaries which I suspect is the actual source of your 'facts'.

[@shelleyeblythe]

Astonishing footage. Thank you so much.

[@lvl9001Troll]

THIS IS AMAZING WELL DONE FILMING EDITING AND NARRATING THIS!

[@nik4456]

Oh man, I was legitimately sad when the female ate the male. :-(

[@liwkaosmaek9874]

Same :'(

[@bobbsiesox7975]

Amazing photography, very good

[@joseramoncastello]

Amazing work Jurgen! Well done.

[@beatriceshapiro6717]

Just watched four of your peacock spider videos. They're really, really well done! Great photography, great music, great editing and what amazing little creatures! Thank you for sharing!

[@sueanoimm]

Did he just...got eaten? because his dance wasn't impressive to the female?

[@Peacockspiderman]

Yes, he got eaten

[@sueanoimm]

Peacockspiderman Wow! amazing nature. XD thanks for the answer. XD

[@TheLivingHeiromartyr]

This is very normal in arachnid and insect mating. Many species of spider and scorpion engage in this activity, the female eating the male after mating. In other spiders, often the male will distract the female and impregnate her whilst distracted (nasty right?) but in mating the male has to leave a part of his body behind and will usually die a few hours later. Female spiders also die after laying their egg sacks. You'll probably be aware of how mantises do this as well. There are also types of fish (particularly deep sea fish such as angler fish) where the male is 20 or so times smaller than the female, and mates by biting onto her and fusing with her body. Now I'm not a zoologist so I can't say, but I reckon this whole process of the male dying and often being eaten or absorbed by the female is to compensate for the physical stress that the female will undergo during gestation. It will be particularly hard for a gestating female spider to catch prey, so having a large meal at the onset will probably help greatly.

[@valaha]

TheLivingHeiromartyr wow... Then this is kamikaze-sex.

[@dickvanfreedman]

Now I'm all hot and bothered.

[@ErikaVargasTV]

salad fingers lol

[@aaronritchie6426]

Erika Vargas Just a general British phrase luv.

[@lilRadRidinHood]

@@ErikaVargasTV Explain that term please?

[@NicholasMacAdam]

I think you did a remarkable job capturing this footage, im glad i got to see such a unique thing.

[@ghipszky]

Jurgen, thank you so much for bringing this little dude to my eyes, So cute.

[@amcglockton2]

This was actually adorable

[@Peacockspiderman]

good to hear

[@JanusChan]

"Look at me look at me!" \oOOo/

[@OxenForens]

Thank you to share this amazing dance and show many spider back patterns. The stroboscopic effect of its up legs are impressive.

[@sarahrandall2152]

these little spiders symbolize all that is wonderful and beautiful in this world...their existence is a gift to everyone...thank you Jurgen Otto for reminding us that it is often the tiny and obscure discoveries that bring the most joy and wonder...you are as amazing as your spiders.

[@quinceanerajones9212]

One of the coolest things I have ever seen, goes to show how intelligence runs rich in creatures without verbal communication.

[@leahp3992]

Fantastic! I really like their expressive personality. It is like they are shouting and waving to be seen from afar. :3 I've always liked the jumping spiders, maybe it is their larger eyes on their heads or the speed they can move at. I grew up in USA, so I've only seen grey jumping spiders. Thank you for sharing your video.

[@Peacockspiderman]

You are welcome, you have a lot of interesting jumpers in the US, much larger and very cute

[@shartmeyer]

One more well done spider-video, thanks for sharing.

[@MarioMadrona]

Thanks for such a remarkable video. Really impressed here and you have full support to continue delighting us!

[@ChimpFromSpace]

It's amazing how such a small creature, with such a small brain, is capable of such complex, almost mammalian behavior.

[@theglumslum7942]

ChimpFromSpace What I find most interesting is how they know from birth that they should do this behavior to find mates. How beavers know how to build dams, and bird how to build nests, Spiders know they can build webs.

[@Hevva67]

I just thought that, like how do they know.. Di spiders have a language? Are they taught from birth, I doubt it.. It just seems like inbuilt knowledge..

[@mihajlostasuk5801]

+Hevva67 I guess it's instictual, genetically passed down.

[@lilRadRidinHood]

@@theglumslum7942 Butterflies that migrate over 3000 miles and never have done it before are the most amazing to me, but the list of runners-up is monumental!

[@FeelsFlows]

So much similarity to the human process. I feel the flows here mates. Cheers! Beautiful Spiders indeed.

[@yanndick]

Just watched the whole playlist : incredible spiders and impressive work of yours to film them ! Bravo Jürgen !

[@thysonsacclaim]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[@colettebrunel5103]

he's so cute! :D

[@hannahcrean367]

It's so cute :3

[@Jackledead]

You just changed my entire view on spiders. That was beautiful.

[@SDRat-ud7fc]

bro I was searching so hard for a video that included one getting eaten. Super informative and showed all options

[@karenwhite8247]

These spiders are remarkable.

[@Peacockspiderman]

Karen White I agree

[@Endeva09]

So, just like humans then, you spend fucking ages looking for women, then 3 show up at the same time, then when you think you've pulled a bunch of other guys turn up, so then you have to do a bit of dancing and if you that still hasnt worked at this point then you just take your shirt off wave it around in the air and lie down kicking your legs because you have run out of options

[@NicoleLeoni]

hahaha sing out loud what youve just written, and they´d be all over you hehehe best comment!

[@bradleyswann8792]

The difference being, female spiders will attempt to kill you if you aren't attractive to them...

[@Peacockspiderman]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I did enjoy making it and seeing all the positive responses now

[@Peacockspiderman]

Thanks Catherine, I always appreciate feedback

[@CascadianPatriotII]

For spiders, these little guys sure are cute.

[@NuttyXD]

"h-hello? anyone? hi? HI? OH MYGODHI HELLOHELLO HEY HEY HEYHEYHI HELLOHELLO HELLO HAIHAIHAIHAI HEYYYY!!! HEEYYYYYY!! HEYHEYHEYHEHEYHHEYHEYEYHEYEHAIHIHIHHEHERRHHHNNohshitgottarun"

[@taleandclawrock2606]

Your beautiful films are standout wildlife films. I cannot thank you enough for the incredible patience, sensitive observations and wonderful images of the natural world you have shared, teaching the world about these exquisite spiders. Thousands of peoples views of nature have been changed for the better as a result. Conservation is immeasurably helped by this kind of work, capturing the interest of many , increasing human awareness of the tiny wonders that share the landscapes we traverse.

[@Shadelassy]

I never thought, I will say "CUTE" seeing a spider! :D Truly a remarkable video footage! Thank you for sharing.

[@DaveMeowington]

How the fuck did i end up here???

[@nsanamarezust1711]

he looks like an old navy man with long white beard :D

[@judassson]

Great footage, enjoyed the whole video. Thanks for your effort

[@123halofreak]

Are these poisonous? 'Cos even if they are, they're still adorable.

[@Sodylin]

Poison is digested. Venom is injected.

[@villelehtinen4210]

Sodylin And not a single fuck is given.

[@codywilcox4040]

Ville Lehtinen I gave a fuck.

[@garyjohnmaidman7822]

Poisonous is not the same as venomous. All true spiders are venomous, one of the distinguishing features of true spiders, as opposed to whipscorpions or solifuges. Just because they kill their prey with venom though, doesn't mean they are dangerous to humans, only a fraction of the many species of spiders pose any threat to humans.

[@UndefeatedUndisputed]

They are so small, they can't bite through the skin

[@LizShort0314]

Okay I hate spiders (yes I know they are an important part of the ecosystem). This video made these spiders cute as hell!!

[@and1zero69]

Never have I been aww'ing so hard for a spider. This is adorable :D

[@milesnagopaleen]

Excellent video and what an achievement to film this in the wild!

[@31Dignity]

Male spiders twerking.

[@Zavtar]

We humans are more a threat to spiders than they are to us ! Remember Human race would quickly reach extinction if our eight-legged friends came to disappear. Thumbs-up to spread the knowledge and save them :)

[@wapogipofrog88]

You sir are amazing and thank YOU for taking your time to film this. This is magnificent. I love Maratus spp. and now I finally get to see what I've only been able to read about. I hope one day to get to see them in person but that's something else altogether. =) Thank you once again. Keep up the marvelous work.

[@drubber007]

Amazing. Jumping spiders are the one of the most beautiful, intelligent and coolest creatures.

[@leananshae]

I love the little jumping spiders -- they're so engaging -- but I never knew there was such a gorgeous species as this! What lovely little critters!

[@Peacockspiderman]

If you haven't done so watch the other videos for some variety. Also, here is my photo collection, there are many species I photographed but haven't made any videos yet www.flickr.com/photos/59431731@N05/collections/72157627420960710/

[@leananshae]

Terrific! Thanks!

[@Wyvernaut]

Wow, this is amazing work! Thank you for sharing this!

[@Peacockspiderman]

Wyvernaut Thanks for your comment

[@JColeeNightLighter]

Very entertaining & educational! Appreciate you posting this.

[@stirlingsilver1]

this is the single greatest thing ive ever seen on youtube

[@DeonelKumara]

This is amazing man! Thank you for capturing this !!!

[@idgonemad]

I must have watched this five times by now. I love this so much.

[@Loweredexpectationss]

' the males pack up ' >>>> toooo cute. I love spiders. Thanks for sharing this wonderful little courtship with us ! ( minus the eating part ) xx

What an exiting video and well done! Observing this courtship behavior and taking a movie gives quite some satisfaction and belong to something what we call a moment of glory! Rüdiger

[@tidusbautista6066]

Incredible! I'm amazed at how good the footage is considering how small they are. Canon is awesome. I liked your narration too.

[@dandandamattressman]

Jurgen you are just SO EXCITING!

[@markerbuoy]

Wow! My son sent me the link to your amazing video. Absolutely fascinating - good work and thank you.

[@ManiacMoomin]

This was just amazing, you sir are a scholar and a gentleman.

[@susanrogers8797]

Beautiful! Thank you so much. Great work!

[@judesjewels7831]

Thank you, THANK you for sharing with us! I've seen photos of the Peacock spiders a few years back and watched a documentary where a species of jumping spider danced to attract a female. But it was a plain coloured spider. Your video is fantastic! I so enjoyed it and had me smiling throughout except when one poor male was eaten. But then, I guess, the gravid female needs all the calories she can get. I'll be back to watch this one over and over (and your other videos too). It's that good. I love spiders and insects - in fact, all animals - and always get a boost when I can watch or interact with any. Probably gives me a shot of dopamine. :)

[@Peacockspiderman]

JudesJewels Thanks for your long comment, much appreciated. I hope you get time to watch the other 11 videos

[@judesjewels7831]

Peacockspiderman No fear. I'll make time to watch your other videos! Spiders ate fascinating creatures and I enjoy watching those in my area, especially jumping spiders. They show great iinterest in watching us too.

[@chrisdavies8767]

the pattern on the abdomen is like a picture of a spider, nature is bloody incredible sometimes, i find this totally mind blowing, thanks for sharing this.

[@ceeshnia]

Thank you for the footage. It is amazing! I love jumpers

[@xCxTxSx]

Amazing video, thanks for showing this wonderful creature Mr Jürgen, Cheers from Colombia.

[@leahere89]

Absolutely fascinating! LOVE this video! Thank you for making this available to the public :)

[@MrKoto333]

aka KOTO Awesome, quite sure with the right music background this should go viral... Great photography, patience, good job...

[@Peacockspiderman]

Thank you, it was a big effort, but worth it in the end

[@HappySquierGuy]

I love jumpers, they are amazing little creatures. Never heard of the Peacock spiders before, thanks for sharing this extraordinary film. I find the fact that this particular one is showing an image of a spider on his "plume" simply astounding.

[@lorrainefingal7574]

Beautiful!! I have never heard about the peacock spider before until I read an article on the website of NBC news this morning. You have done an amazing job by filming this. I believe that the wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask. Cheers from The Netherlands.

[@TheXxxMissiexxx]

This is hilarious and absolutely amazing at the same time!!

[@JandCanO]

The leg-waving thing is so funny!

[@ingmo9]

Absolutely amazing and wonderful! Im full of admiration for you and your film.One of the most fantastic things to see! Congratulations!!!!!

[@zoofoid]

amazing camera work capturing a very small fast arachnid, well done Jurgen.

[@itsSAL100]

I've seen many spiders similar to this, but this one most impressive and most colorful

[@CanadianBellator]

Thank you IFLS for bringing me here

[@Morgonious]

Just lovely! What a treat. Thank you so much!

[@ioiioilol]

i really enjoyed this keep up the good work!!

[@Goldengirl48]

Thanks for your time and patience

[@Goldengirl48]

This is an amazing creature. Thanks for your time and patience it took to get these incredible videos.

[@Peacockspiderman]

@@Goldengirl48 Thank you

[@sandiismyname]

This is very cool. Thanks for sharing. Nice photography.

[@cesardariogonzalez924]

Excelent filming. I've read the comentaries and the crap you have to wade through. The main point is that spiders are amazing creatures. Keep it up mate.

[@Peacockspiderman]

Thanks, certainly will keep filming