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Email 'Arachnophobes love them': Sydney scientist's 'adorable' spider discovery
abc ^

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.


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: arachnid; arachnids; peacockspiders; spider; spiders
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1 posted on 05/27/2016 11:46:49 PM PDT by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono

Oh hell no! Now I’m never going to get back to sleep. I want my Mommy!


2 posted on 05/28/2016 12:03:23 AM PDT by BykrBayb (Lung cancer free since 11/9/07. Colon cancer free since 7/7/15. ~ Þ)
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To: BykrBayb
Now I’m never going to get back to sleep. I want my Mommy!

Does seeing how big they are help any?


3 posted on 05/28/2016 12:10:50 AM PDT by FredZarguna (And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, slouches towards Fifth Avenue to be Born?)
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To: FredZarguna

Yes! Immensely.


4 posted on 05/28/2016 12:13:13 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: JoeProBono

At least it’s not a new, more aggressive and venomous variety of funnelweb.


5 posted on 05/28/2016 12:13:51 AM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: FredZarguna

Not at all!


6 posted on 05/28/2016 12:15:36 AM PDT by BykrBayb (Lung cancer free since 11/9/07. Colon cancer free since 7/7/15. ~ Þ)
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To: JoeProBono

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.


7 posted on 05/28/2016 12:17:23 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: JoeProBono

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


8 posted on 05/28/2016 12:42:19 AM PDT by aquila48
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To: JoeProBono

nice video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlcqlXJFTxE


9 posted on 05/28/2016 1:01:40 AM PDT by AdmSmith (GCTGATATGTCTATGATTACTCAT)
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To: aquila48

http://mentalfloss.com/article/62195/5-flashy-facts-about-peacock-spiders


10 posted on 05/28/2016 1:06:31 AM PDT by AdmSmith (GCTGATATGTCTATGATTACTCAT)
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To: FredZarguna
No...They still have six eyes!

==8-O

11 posted on 05/28/2016 2:19:48 AM PDT by Does so (Vote for Hillary...Stay Home...==8-O)
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To: JoeProBono
Peacock spider Bubo

It's still a spider to me, squish.

12 posted on 05/28/2016 2:47:54 AM PDT by Robert DeLong (u)
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To: BykrBayb

Funny..gave me a laugh


13 posted on 05/28/2016 2:53:30 AM PDT by patriot08 (5th generation Texan (girl type) ANGRY? REFUSE TO VOTE? HELLO HILLARY!!!)
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To: patriot08

There is nothing remotely cute about that horrible thing!!!!!! Aieeeeeeeee!!!!!


14 posted on 05/28/2016 3:05:25 AM PDT by freepertoo
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To: aquila48

With that face-looking thing on his butt they should probably be playing ‘I am the Witch Doctor’ by Alvin and the Chips.


15 posted on 05/28/2016 3:12:07 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress (http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/BYTOPICS/tabid/335/Default.aspx D)
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To: Does so

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


16 posted on 05/28/2016 3:19:17 AM PDT by AdmSmith (GCTGATATGTCTATGATTACTCAT)
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To: JoeProBono

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.


17 posted on 05/28/2016 3:27:01 AM PDT by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job....)
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To: BykrBayb

Your safe place is teaming with them! RUN! RUN!


18 posted on 05/28/2016 3:30:27 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again,")
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

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


19 posted on 05/28/2016 3:34:41 AM PDT by PubliusMM (RKBA; a matter of fact, not opinion. 01-20-2017; I pray we make it that long.)
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To: FredZarguna

If they are from Australia, then I presume one bite from that little sucker and you’re dead within three minutes.


20 posted on 05/28/2016 3:47:49 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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