THE ANIMAL BLINGDOM

While many creatures adapt to blend into their environment, there are some who show no such regard for convention. Here are some of our favourite show-offs from the animal kingdom…

- BEN HOARE

DICEY DANCING

PEACOCK SPIDER

Jumping spiders are tiny, phenomenally athletic predators – some can leap over 20 times their body length. Australia has some particularly ostentatious species, called peacock spiders, that deploy their nifty legwork to attract a mate. Charismatic to the point of cuteness, these 5mm-long arachnids are fondly known as ‘kittens with legs’ by scientists studying their courtship displays. When a male peacock spider sees a potential partner, he takes up position in front of her and raises his third pair of legs. This unfurls a fan-shaped extension to his abdomen, revealing a shimmering pattern created by iridescent scales. Now the male hops side-to-side and bops up and down to show off his velvety technicolour dreamcoat. He also alternately waves his white-tipped legs, as a kind of spider semaphore. It’s a dangerous display, however, since the would-be dad dancer risks becoming the female’s post-coital meal.

TOXIC TOADS

PURPLE HARLEQUIN TOAD