Identify Tasmanian peacock spiders in Australia by Maratus tasmanicus markings, tiny jumping-spider size, Tasmania or Victoria 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

Shane Walker CC BY 4.0

Maratus tasmanicus

Tasmanian Peacock Spider Identification in Australia

Tiny Australian peacock jumping spider with colourful male markings, large forward-facing eyes and a Tasmania or Victoria location clue.

Usually low riskReviewed and updated 2026-04-29

Use the spider identifier Check dangerous spiders

SizePin head to pea body

Colours / marksOrange, Red or orange marking, Blue, White or pale marking, Black or very dark, Brown, Patterned

Web clueNo capture web

Usually foundLow vegetation, leaf litter, garden edges, coastal or temperate ground-layer plants and sheltered outdoor surfaces in Tasmania and Victoria, where tiny jumping spiders hunt without capture webs.

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 Tasmanian peacock spider

Tiny peacock jumping spider with large forward-facing eyes
Male may show colourful red, orange, blue, white or dark abdominal markings
Moves in short alert jumps rather than sitting in a capture web
Tasmania and Victoria are strong range clues for Maratus tasmanicus

Danger level

Usually low risk

What to check next

Check for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, no capture web and a Tasmania or Victoria location. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and garden jumping spiders if the colour pattern or range 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 Tasmanian peacock spider is usually seen in Australia

Low vegetation, leaf litter, garden edges, coastal or temperate ground-layer plants and sheltered outdoor surfaces in Tasmania and Victoria, where tiny jumping spiders hunt without capture webs.

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.

Common peacock spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, no capture web and a Tasmania or Victoria location. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and garden jumping spiders if the colour pattern or range is unclear. For the other possibility, 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.
Banksia peacock spiderMay overlap because of similar size, similar colour, similar place. For this spider, check: Check for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, no capture web and a Tasmania or Victoria location. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and garden jumping spiders if the colour pattern or range 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.
Nemo peacock spiderMay overlap because of similar size, similar colour, similar place. For this spider, check: Check for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, no capture web and a Tasmania or Victoria location. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and garden jumping spiders if the colour pattern or range is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check the location and habitat first: this is a South Australian wetland peacock spider. Look for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, orange-and-white male face markings and marshy vegetation. Compare with common peacock spiders, banksia peacock spiders and garden jumping spiders if the pattern or location is unclear.

Common comparisons

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

Tasmanian peacock spider vs Common peacock spidersame region, similar size Tasmanian peacock spider vs Banksia peacock spidersimilar size, similar colour Tasmanian peacock spider vs Nemo peacock spidersimilar size, similar colour Tasmanian peacock spider vs Orange-legged swift spidersame region, similar size

Compare this spider by state

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

VICVictoria TASTasmania

Next useful checks

Still trying to identify this spider?

Use these quick paths if the Tasmanian 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 Tasmanian peacock spider Identify Tasmanian peacock spider by picture clues Tasmanian peacock spider bite first aid and warning signs Compare Australian spider photos Identify Tasmanian peacock spider in VIC Identify Tasmanian 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

Tasmanian peacock spider FAQ

Is the Tasmanian 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 Tasmanian peacock spider?

Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Tiny peacock jumping spider with large forward-facing eyes; Male may show colourful red, orange, blue, white or dark abdominal markings; Moves in short alert jumps rather than sitting in a capture web; Tasmania and Victoria are strong range clues for Maratus tasmanicus.

What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Tasmanian 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 Tasmanian peacock spider usually found?