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Maratus personatus Otto & Hill, 2015 World's Cutest Spider

This is the world's cutest spider, according to popular internet magazine Verge (and who could disagree?) It is Maratus personatus, a Peacock Spider from Cape Riche near Albany in southwestern Western Australia. It was rediscovered in 2013 and named in 2015 by Jürgen Otto and David Hill. It has a gorgeous blue face, and its crazy antics are irresistible. You can see for yourself here here in Jürgen Otto's video. Jürgen heard about this cutie from the Perth-based spider-specialist David Knowles, whose partner Fleur first saw it on the flap of their tent while they were on a visit to Cape Riche, 25 years previously. David Knowles recognised it for what it was and tucked away this gem of information for a later day. That day came when Otto and Knowles (does that sound oddly like Burke and Wills to you? Suzuki and Attenborough? Laurel and Hardy?) set off on a mission to find and document 'Bluey' in 2013. While the intrepid pair were rock-hopping David fell, badly breaking his leg. After Jürgen took him to the Albany hospital, where David had a caste put on his leg, they went back to Albany, from where David directed Jürgen to Bluey's location from a couch in a friend's house, high on a hill (and high on the painkillers). Jürgen had quite some difficulties orienteering his way around newly closed areas of the National Park, but eventually found the little bluefaced critter! Here's the scientific description.

Pick me! Pick me!


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

You know you want to...


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

Who could resist this face?


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

Hello Sailor! Oops!


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

Oh, why not, Spiders just wanna have fun...


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

Just a wanna, just a wanna...


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

Ooh baby baby!


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

Let's get it on!


Salticidae Maratus personatus
Photo Jürgen Otto

 

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