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    Dance or die! A male spider must impress a female with his moves, or be eaten

    Dancing is hardly a frivolous pastime for male peacock spiders, who must impress females with their brilliant colours and courtship moves, or be eaten if the lady is less than dazzled. This excerpt from the BBC’s ‘Life Story’ series chronicles one eager peacock spider’s (quite literal) dance with death.

    24 November 2015
    Five brown birds perched on a branch in a forest with a black bird displaying its wings on the ground below.

    videoBiology

    A bird-of-paradise must become a lord of the dance to woo a discerning mate

    2 minutes

    A vibrant bird with golden yellow and bright red feathers, perched on the ground amid dry, dark twigs and foliage.

    videoEvolution

    Dilating pupils, wheezes and head-butts: the male bowerbird’s tips for seduction

    4 minutes

    Illustration of an orange spider on a white spiderweb with a blue line and a grey insect on a black background.

    videoEvolution

    The vibey way spiders differentiate potential meals and potential mates

    1 minute

    A spider hanging from its web against a dark background, with delicate web strands extending from the edges.

    videoEvolution

    Female black widows have a murderous reputation, but do the males have it coming?

    6 minutes

    Two birds on a branch in a forest, one with a bright chest, the other black with wings spread, blurred green background.

    videoEvolution

    The evolutionary value of ‘artistic‘ skills when predators are few

    2 minutes

    A small bird with black, white and yellow plumage singing while perched on a branch in a green forest setting

    videoEvolution

    This bird-of-paradise in New Guinea sounds like something from another planet

    4 minutes

    A black and white photo of an ant carrying a large, round object with a fly perched on top against a plain background.

    videoBiology

    Feet of strength! Spotlight on the amazing agility of houseflies

    3 minutes

    Black and white image of a stop-motion ant figure being manipulated by a fine rod, standing on a textured rock.

    videoHistory of science

    A 1909 animation on how spiders take to the air is a charming dip into the history of science

    1 minute

    A small red and black insect with raised legs standing on a green leaf, green blurry background.

    videoBiology

    Are the kung fu skills of a newborn orchid mantis a match for a jumping spider?

    4 minutes