NARRATION

A four millimetre spider hiding in the undergrowth is the sort of thing the average Sydney bushwalker would pass right by. But not this man.

Dr Jurgen Otto

I have a very keen eye for small things. When I walk around the bush I usually don't look into the trees, I usually look on the ground. There was a spider that just looked different to other spiders I'd seen before so I was very curious...and I took a couple of photos.

NARRATION

The photographs revealed a most extraordinary looking jumping spider.

Dr Jurgen Otto

Since then I've been wrapped and wanted to take more pictures so I kept coming back for 3 years but unfortunately I kept searching at the wrong spot.

NARRATION

Three years later, Jurgen's perseverance paid off ...and he captured what he believes is the only footage of Australian Peacock spiders.

Dr Jurgen Otto

They have very, very large front eyes….they just observe everything the behaviour of this species does in a way remind me of a dog. You can see how the spider gets excited. You can see when it gets frightened and wants to run away, you can see all these emotions that the spider has.

NARRATION

Although the female of this species had never been properly described, Jurgen collected some drab-looking candidates and dropped them near the males with instant success.

Dr Jurgen Otto

The first time I saw this mating display I was really blown away. I couldn't believe something like this would happen on this scale with this colour and movement.

NARRATION

To get her attention the male waves his legs at the female.Watching closely the female judges the display... The male vibrates his abdomen as the excitement rises And then his final extraordinary act. Like a peacock, he raises two brilliantly coloured flaps and dances for the female.

Dr Jurgen Otto

If he's not doing it right the female might think he's not the right partner.

NARRATION

Failure to impress can turn lovers into lunch.

Dr Jurgen Otto

When I came to Sydney I was a bit bored because there wasn't enough to photograph but now I don't want to live anywhere else.

I think it's probably the most beautiful spider in the world.