Identify common peacock spiders in Australia by tiny size, colourful male fan display, jumping movement, southern range and low-risk bite context. Compare photos, danger level, first aid notes, web clues and what to check next before choosing a likely match.

Bitten or unwell? Call 000. Poisons advice: 13 11 26.

Photo credits

Jean and Fred Hort from Perth, Australia CC BY 2.0 · Jean and Fred Hort from Perth, Australia CC BY 2.0 · Jean and Fred Hort from Perth, Australia CC BY 2.0 · Shane Walker CC BY 4.0

Maratus pavonis

Common Peacock Spider Identification Australia

Tiny southern Australian jumping spider, famous for colourful male courtship displays and active leaf-litter hunting.

Usually low riskReviewed and updated 2026-04-29

Use the spider identifier Check dangerous spiders

SizePin head to pea body

Colours / marksRed or orange marking, Yellow or gold, White or pale marking, Black or very dark, Brown, Patterned

Web clueNo capture web

Usually foundLeaf litter, low plants, dry garden edges, scrub, heath, woodland edges and ground-layer vegetation across southern Australia, including parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

First aid / what to do now

Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
Wash the bite area with soap and water.
Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.

This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.

How to identify the Common peacock spider

Very tiny jumping spider, often only a few millimetres long
Male may show orange-red, blue, black and white fan-like abdominal markings
Large front eyes and short jerky jumps rather than a capture web
Usually noticed on leaf litter, low plants, dry ground or garden edges in southern Australia

Danger level

Usually low risk

What to check next

Check the size first: common peacock spiders are tiny. Look for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps, low vegetation or leaf-litter habitat, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with coastal peacock spiders, garden jumping spiders and other Maratus species if the abdomen pattern is unclear.

When to seek medical help

This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Avoid handling it and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.

Where the Common peacock spider is usually seen in Australia

Leaf litter, low plants, dry garden edges, scrub, heath, woodland edges and ground-layer vegetation across southern Australia, including parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

How it differs from lookalikes

These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.

Orange-legged swift spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the size first: common peacock spiders are tiny. Look for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps, low vegetation or leaf-litter habitat, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with coastal peacock spiders, garden jumping spiders and other Maratus species if the abdomen pattern is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for the stop-start running behaviour, orange front legs, black-and-white markings and no capture web. Compare with swift ground spiders, wolf spiders and ant-mimic spiders if the leg colour is unclear.
White-banded house jumping spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the size first: common peacock spiders are tiny. Look for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps, low vegetation or leaf-litter habitat, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with coastal peacock spiders, garden jumping spiders and other Maratus species if the abdomen pattern is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps and mottled white-banded patterning. Compare with garden jumping spiders, bronze Aussie jumping spiders and peacock spiders if the body pattern or location is unclear.
Banksia peacock spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the size first: common peacock spiders are tiny. Look for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps, low vegetation or leaf-litter habitat, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with coastal peacock spiders, garden jumping spiders and other Maratus species if the abdomen pattern is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check the location first: this is a south-west Western Australian peacock spider. Look for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, low vegetation or leaf litter, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and other Maratus species if the pattern is unclear.

Common comparisons

People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.

Common peacock spider vs Orange-legged swift spidersame region, similar size Common peacock spider vs White-banded house jumping spidersame region, similar size Common peacock spider vs Banksia peacock spidersame region, similar size Common peacock spider vs Giant bark jumping spidersame region, similar size

Compare this spider by state

Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.

NSWNew South Wales VICVictoria TASTasmania WAWestern Australia SASouth Australia

Next useful checks

Still trying to identify this spider?

Use these quick paths if the Common peacock spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.

Use the spider identifier for a possible Common peacock spider Identify Common peacock spider by picture clues Common peacock spider bite first aid and warning signs Compare Australian spider photos Identify Common peacock spider in NSW Identify Common peacock spider in VIC Identify Common peacock spider in TAS

Reference notes

How this guide stays cautious

Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.

Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.

Common questions

Common peacock spider FAQ

Is the Common peacock spider dangerous?

Danger level: Usually low risk. This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Avoid handling it and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.

How do I identify the Common peacock spider?

Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Very tiny jumping spider, often only a few millimetres long; Male may show orange-red, blue, black and white fan-like abdominal markings; Large front eyes and short jerky jumps rather than a capture web; Usually noticed on leaf litter, low plants, dry ground or garden edges in southern Australia.

What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Common peacock spider?

Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.

Where is the Common peacock spider usually found?

What spiders look similar to the Common peacock spider?

Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.

Can I identify the Common peacock spider by photo?

A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Common peacock spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.