Smiley Face Spider – A rare spider found only in the Hawaiian islands uses its smiley face markings to momentarily confuse predators and make its escape.
The patterns on the “smiley face spiders” apparently developed as a protective camouflage because it takes a predator extra time to work out whether the spider is prey or not, thus improving its chance of escape.
The tiny spider goes by the scientific name of “Theridion grallator” and the smiley spiders have a vast range of patterns and colours on their abdomens – yet all come from the same species.
The spider species’ amazing diversity is due to genetic variations, although their disguise patterns also change depending on their diet and availability for mating.
And that’s the latest on the smiley face spider.
Tags: funny photos, hot pics, science, smiley face killers, smiley face spiders, spiders
May 10th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Those spiders sure are creepy looking!
May 11th, 2009 at 5:39 am
lol! those r sum funny looking spiders!
August 10th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Are they poisoness i found one in my basement in colorado and hes not tiny!
December 26th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
ewww… i hate spiderz!!!!!