The most striking feature of the mature Timiga Dancanto is its vibrantly colored pair of abdominal flanges, which play a crucial role in this fingernail-sized arachnid’s intricate mating rituals. A male will begin the courtship process by approaching a female and raising his bioluminescent hind legs until they are perpendicular to the ground to attract her attention. Once she turns to face him, demonstrating her interest, he will begin the proper courtship dance by snapping open his brown abdominal flanges to reveal the iridescent patterns hidden within. The male Timiga Dancanto will then bounce and sway back and forth in a variety of complex and almost hypnotizing patterns. If he is successful, the female will flare her own flanges and mirror her new mate’s motions in a instinctive partnered dance. If she deems her suitor unimpressive, however, she will gesture aggressively toward him, giving him one last chance to retreat before she attacks him in earnest. This colorful display also serves as a defense mechanism; if threatened, a Timiga Dancanto will flash its flanges to confuse would-be predators, buying it a moment to dart away to safety. These arachnids are bold and capable hunters who can leap over a foot in distance to easily incapacitate insects larger than themselves. Their venomous fangs can paralyze prey in a matter of seconds, although they are too small—in most cases—to pierce human skin.

The creatures that dwell in this rather desolate world still display some diversity in appearance, eating habits, and social behavior. Whether they have fur or feathers, skin or scales, their unique genetic makeup allows for a variety of colors and markings within each species. Despite limitations in food sources, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores are all present in the food chain, and each species requires specialized care within a laboratory. Although the artificial setting of housing units and breeding pods precludes most opportunities to study true interspecific behavior, the interactions within and between species has been studied extensively in the wilderness by scientists daring enough to venture beyond the outpost’s walls.