Peacock Spider Identification Guide

Key Visual Features

Peacock spiders (genus Maratus) are a group of very small jumping spiders native to Australia, best known for the males' extraordinary coloration and displays.

• Size: Extremely small, typically only 0.1–0.2 inches (2.5–5 mm) in body length.
• Color: Males often show brilliant iridescent patterns of red, blue, orange, yellow, and white on the abdomen, arranged in intricate patterns unique to each of the many Maratus species. Females are generally plain brown or gray, lacking the bright colors.
• Body shape: Typical jumping spider build — compact cephalothorax and abdomen — but males of many species have an expandable abdominal flap (opisthosoma) that can be raised and spread like a fan during courtship.
• Eyes: Two large forward-facing central eyes plus smaller peripheral eyes, standard for jumping spiders, giving excellent vision for detecting movement and color.
• Legs: Short and often marked with contrasting bands; the third pair of legs is frequently raised and waved during male displays.

Where and When You'd See It

Peacock spiders are found only in Australia, inhabiting leaf litter, low vegetation, sandy soil, and grassy or heathland areas. They are most active during the day, especially in spring and early summer (Southern Hemisphere seasons) when males perform elaborate displays to attract females. Because of their tiny size, they are most often noticed close to the ground, on low plants, or in open sunny patches rather than up on walls or trees.

Similar-Looking Species

• Other small jumping spiders: Many small Salticidae look superficially similar when colors are not visible up close; the key distinguishing trait of peacock spiders is the male's fan-like, brightly patterned abdominal flap.
• Female peacock spiders: Plain and brown, easily mistaken for many other small ground-dwelling jumping spiders since they lack the male's ornamentation.
• Flower spiders/crab spiders: May show bright colors too, but have a very different body shape (wider, flatter, with longer front legs held out to the sides) and do not jump.

Quick ID Checklist

• Extremely small size, just a few millimeters long
• Males show vivid, intricate multicolor patterns on a raised abdominal flap
• Females are plain brown/gray and much less distinctive
• Found low to the ground in Australian leaf litter, grass, or sandy habitat
• Active by day, especially during males' courtship display season