Comelnya 'Happy Face' spider

solstice · Post time 4-6-2012 06:32 PM

Post Last Edit by solstice at 5-6-2012 12:42

Meet the Happy Face spider, the insect that might make even arachnophobics smile

Meet the only spider in the world guaranteed to bring a smile to your face - the Happy Face spider.

The tiny creature has been given the nickname thanks to bizarre markings on its body which resemble a big smiley face.

Found in the rainforests of Hawaiian islands the tiny arachnid is just a few millimetres big and said to be harmless to humans.

Web sensation: Meet the only spider in the world guaranteed to bring a smile to your face - the Happy Face Spider

The photographer who was delighted to capture the unusual creature on camera was Darlyne Murawski from Massachusetts, US.

She said: 'I took the picture when I was in Maui, while I was there I wanted to take the opportunity to see if I might be able to find a Happy Face Spider.

'We spent a while looking before we discovered one under a leaf in the rainforest.

FIVE FACTS ABOUT 'HAPPY FACE'

Its scientific name is Theridion grallator in recognition of its long legs - the term is Latin for stiltwalker
In Hawaii, where it is found it is known as the face-patterned spider - Nananana makaki'i
The tiny spider reaches only grows to about five millimetres long
Each arachnid has a unique pattern, and the patterns are different on each island where they inhabit
Scientists theorise that markings may change depending on what food the spider has eaten, some believe the pattern serves no practical purpose

'They're so tiny, they're difficult to find and you have to look at them through a magnifying glass to see the smiley face.

'But I eventually found one beneath a leaf in a rainforest.

At first I was amazed at how small it was, less than a quarter of an inch big.

'You need look at it through a magnifier to see it's smiley face, but it was fascinating.

'I was so thrilled I couldn't wait to get home and find out more about it.'

All smile: Found in the rainforests of Hawaiian islands, the tiny arachnid which has the scientific name Theridion grallator, is just a few millimetres big and said to be harmless to humans