The happiest spiders in the world.

[Miranda_]

Meet the Hawaiian spider that will make you smile | Mail Online

Scientifically, this tiny arachnid goes by the name of Theridion grallator – but it takes little imagination to see how it got its more popular name: the happy-face spider.

Found only in rainforests in the Hawaiian islands, the spiders have a vast range of patterns and colours on their abdomens – yet all come from the same species.

The amazing diversity is due to genetic variations, although the patterns may also change depending on diet.


Spider View: Scientists think the happy-face spider has evolved its patterns to confuse predators

The patterns may have developed as a way of confusing predators. The moment it takes an aggressor to work out whether the spider is prey or not provides a vital chance of escape.

However, the species, which was discovered in 1973, is now under threat from the introduction of non-native animals to the islands.

The most common form – or ‘morph’ – is plain yellow and has no smile. But other variations are plentiful – the ‘red front’ morph pictured here with a cluster of her eggs is the second-most common.



Happy Arachnids: Some of the patterns found in the species

The spiders are 5mm (less than a quarter of an inch) long and live alone on the underside of leaves – except during their mating season and for the first 40 to 100 days of spiderlings’ lives, when they are still too young to fend for themselves.

[Silent_Wolf]

That's incredible. o.o They look remotely adorable. (And I'm terrified of most spiders. XD)

[Miranda_]

No-one could be frightened of a spider with a big smiley face on it. XD

[spirit_queen]

Especially when it's so tiny!

[Singergirl0911]

ITS ADORABLE! I want one as a pet now. And I absolutely hate spiders. *shudders* most scare me.

But is it poisenous?

[iluvdolphin6]

*shudders* i still am deathly afraid of any bugs...but these are...strangly not so..creepy? as long as you are looking at their butt, or w/e you call that thing,and not the legs or head...they arent that bad.

[Miranda_]

Originally Posted by Singergirl509

ITS ADORABLE! I want one as a pet now. And I absolutely hate spiders. *shudders* most scare me.

But is it poisenous?

Don't think so; the article would have said. I expect they eat tiny, tiny bugs.

[spirit_queen]

Like aphids!

[AaronShadows]

Let one loose in the garden; little b@st@rds won't know what hit 'em.

[OiHereItComes]

Huh...
Cute, yet it still kind of creeps me out.
I like it =D