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    These Newly Discovered Spiders Are Actually Really Beautiful

    Meet Sparklemuffin and Skeletorus.

    Two new types of peacock spider have been discovered in Queensland.

    These surprisingly majestic spiders - nicknamed Skeletorus and Sparklemuffin - were found in the Wondul Range National Park.

    Male peacock spiders have a colourful flap on their abdomen, which they raise during courtship rituals.

    They're also known to raise their legs and perform a dance to attract females.

    These adorable spideys are actually VERY small - only about 5mm long.

    And their babies are even tinier and cuter!

    Dr Jurgen Otto is a Sydney-based entomologist who takes incredible videos and photos of all the different types of peacock spiders.

    "I am convinced that in a few years from now these spiders will be as iconic for Australia as koalas and kangaroos are today," Dr Otto told BuzzFeed News.

    Dr Otto said that he's been photographing peacock spiders for almost seven years, but despite his practice, they're hard to film: "They move around a lot, and if you film one, for example the male, you can't keep track of the female which may be sitting underneath the lens".

    "The spiders don't seem to mind being filmed, in particular when they focus on each other, which is a big bonus," he said.

    Though the existence of peacock spiders has been known for over 100 years, Dr Otto was the first to photograph and document their unique behaviours.

    "I ask the average person on the street whether they have heard of peacock spiders, in 99% get "No". What fascinates me is how the perception of spiders in general change as a result. I get frequently emails from people who tell me that watching my videos have helped them to overcome their fear of spiders."

    "It is by pure coincidence that I stumbled on this fascinating group of spiders at a time when the world was pretty much unaware of their existence, like finding a pot of gold."

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