Magical Land of Oz

(light ethereal music) (lawnmower rumbling) -

Narrator

This male peacock spider is the size of a grain of rice. He's perfectly at home in a lawn that resembles his natural grassland. He has superb eyesight. Which helps in his search for a mate. And there she is, a female peacock spider. To invite her to mate, he will produce a series of vibrations known scientifically as rumble rumps. Sensing his movements through her legs, the female demands a suitor who can produce soothing, even vibrations. Anything muddled or intermittent is unacceptable. (lawnmower rumbling) But the pandemonium created by humans can make sensing vibrations very difficult. Fortunately, he has another tactic he can employ to divert her attention from all else in the garden. Eyes locked, the enchantment begins. She appraises the dance in all its colorful splendor as his routine becomes increasingly vigorous. But her head is easily turned. A rival suitor muscles in to try his luck. (dramatic music) She strikes in less than a tenth of a second and injects a lethal dose of venom into his brain. The rival is now not a mate, but a meal. Undeterred, our suitor once more steps into the line of fire. (upbeat music) He must mesmerize or die.