Peacock tarantula

Sure, most spiders are not amazing or beautiful but big, black and scary. But there are a few more unusual spiders in the world that really do look amazing!

Name: Peacock Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica); Range: Andhra Pradesh, India; Status: Critically Endangered

Still creepy, but pretty creepy.

Male of peacock spider Maratus splendens from Sydney next to my left index finger, displaying to a female. If you like these spiders you may want to check out my collection "peacock spiders", with pictures of all named and a few unnamed species, all with equally impressive colour patterns. www.flickr.com/photos/59431731@N05/collections/7215762742... And to get an even better appreciation of these little spiders watch my movies www.youtube.com/user/Peacockspiderman

The peacock spiders have brightly-coloured bodies and a jaunty mating dance

In the corners of the internet, a world of spiders and scorpions is being bought and sold with little oversight, leaving conservationists deeply concerned.

Pterinopelma sazimai