"Happy face" spider appears to be contagious

British scientists have discovered studying a “happy face” spider indigenous to the Hawaiian rain forest makes them smile, the Telegraph reports. Dr Geoff Oxford, a spider expert from the University of York, told the paper: "I must admit when I turned over the first leaf and saw one it certainly brought a smile to my face.”  The spider, which goes by the scientific name Therein grallatorial, is harmless to humans, and is believed to have has evolved the distinctive markings to confuse predators. Less amusing is the reason scientists are studying the adorable arachnid: the species is facing extinction.

Telegraph.co.uk