The peacock is the stylish of birds. After all, they do have over 200 colorful elongated feathers that attract not just their potential partners, but many people's attention and cameras, too. Few people get a chance to see these birds off a ground, but they can, indeed, fly. Though usually peacocks do that in case of danger, rather than pleasure. When predators appear, birds start running and flutter into the air. Surprisingly, the long feathers don't affect their take-offs. The distance might be limited, but they can speed up to 16 km/h (10 mph)!
peacock
Via New Scientist
Maratus personatus. Remember that name. For that is the name of the cutest spider science has yet to find, maybe probably will ever find.
This tiny, striped, huge-eyed spider may just change the way we thing about the eight-legged crawlers. Just about everything from its appearance to its mating habits gives you more and more reasons to love it and love Jürgen Otto, the man who took the pictures.
Hi!
Newscientist.com gives you all the information you need to jump on this bandwagon.
Officially named Maratus personatus (the species name derives from the Latin for masked), blueface belongs to the growing family of peacock spiders – dazzling little Australian natives that are just 3 to 5 millimetres long. As the name suggests, the males use vivid colours to attract females. But unlike other peacock spiders, the male M. personatus does not have a fan-like abdomen that it extends while trying to court females. Instead, it relies on its blue mask and the characteristic white banding around it to lure lady spiders.
It's mating ritual involves scurrying back and forth with two of its legs in the air, hoping to attract attention from females its bright blue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mask.
Do you want a video? What a silly question.
By sixonefive72
Stick with me kid, I'll teach you how to strut your stuff and drive all the lovely peahens crazy!
Via KidsKidsKids
This splendid white peahen is quite the diva, outshining even the most outrageous showgirl. I'd go see her perform in Las Vegas anytime!
Someday this squee squirt will have a beautiful headdress. Today it's a bit of a bedhead situation, but I think that's even cuter!
This little guy has all the confidence of his flashy elders. You work that gravel, chick!
Via Mubina H.
Seriously, why did biologists/linguists/etc. ever think "fowl" was a fair term for all kinds of squee bird friends? It's a word that sounds far too close to another word that does not describe them in any way at all!
