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UPDATED : New photos for the Decoy Spider at Tambopata Research Center
Embark on a journey of discovery in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, where nature unveils its most intriguing secrets. We share the Decoy Spider new photos at the Tambopata Research Center, in the Peruvian Amazon in Tambopata.
Picture this: as you traverse the lush trails, a seemingly lifeless spider catches your eye, suspended in its intricate web. But hold on—this spider has a trick up its eight-legged sleeve.
Decoy Spider new photos
The Tambopata National Reserve always surprises us with its wonderful natural world; it is not for nothing that it is considered one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Located in the southeast of Peru, just 30 minutes by plane from Cusco or 1 hour 30 minutes from Lima, this national reserve is easily accessible, however only a few adventurers can find exciting encounters with the help of researchers or expert field guides.
Meet the elusive Decoy Spider, a groundbreaking find that challenges the very fabric of arachnid intrigue. From a distance, it masquerades as an ordinary inch-wide spider, but as you draw near, it astounds by swaying back and forth, revealing its vibrant vitality.
Now, prepare to delve into the extraordinary. Closer inspection unravels a mystifying spectacle—what appeared to be a spider is, in fact, an ingenious concoction of minuscule leaf fragments, debris, and deceased insects meticulously assembled by a petite spider, measuring a mere 5mm in body length. Behold, a potential new species in the enigmatic genus Cyclosa.
Imagine the artistry of deception at play—Cyclosa, renowned for incorporating debris into their webs for various purposes, has outdone itself in Tambopata. The intricate silk strands, known as stabilimenta, showcase a symphony of mimicry, crafting a faux spider that confounds the senses. This deceptive masterpiece not only captivates taxonomists naming new species but beckons those enamored with the intricacies of animal behavior.
In a world-first revelation, witness the Decoy Spider’s uncanny ability to fend off predators. Research suggests that these arachnids boast a higher survival rate against potential threats, as unsuspecting assailants—such as paper wasps—are lured into attacking the decoy, leaving the true architect unscathed.
Photos by Gabriel Serrano – Wired Amazon Field Director

Decoy spider sculpture web – Photo by Gabriel Serrano

Decoy spider web design 2 – Photo by Gabriel Serrano

Decoy spider designing its new sculpture – Photo by Gabriel Serrano
Your journey at Tambopata unfolds further as you encounter around 25 of these astonishing spiders in a specific floodplain area. Yet, their restricted local range adds an air of exclusivity to this extraordinary find, making your experience at the Tambopata Research Center all the more extraordinary.
As you share this marvel with fellow explorers from across the globe, consider the path ahead. Unraveling the mystery of a new species demands time and dedication. Collecting specimens, meticulous dissections, and detailed descriptions—all essential steps towards the official christening of this newfound wonder in the scientific realm.
For now, relish in the company of fellow wildlife researchers from Tambopata, where every discovery is a testament to the boundless wonders of the Peruvian Amazon, but get ready to make this adventure yours soon.
By Rocio Guzman
NOW READ: All you need to know to travel to Tambopata
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Nancy Hodgson March 2026
Lesly Lagos March 2026
Batya K. February 2026
S. K. February 2026
Julian S January 2026
Flora Warfel January 2026
Julian Sack January 2026
Laura Franklin December 2025
Lee Wozencroft December 2025
Suraj Vijayan December 2025
Claudia A. January 2026
AMJNZ November 2025
This trip was the highlight of our travels through peru. The lodge was absolutely 5 stars for everything. The room, food, people. We had a private guide, Allen, who grew up locally and really had deep knowledge of the land, the history, and the variety of plant and animal species in the jungle. His knowledge and passion were invaluable to our experience. There are a variety of tour companies and lodges you can book to visit the Amazon, however, I would only recommend Rainforest Expeditions as they are truly connected to the community and offer high quality first class amazon experience! Read all
We had a truly wonderful stay with Rainforest Expeditions. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and our guide was fantastic — very knowledgeable and passionate about the rainforest. We saw many animals, even from the boat, which made the experience unforgettable. Read all
I just spent 3 days here with my family. The research center surpassed all our expectations. I want to give a special shout out to Carlos who took such good care of us. He went above and beyond to make sure we werr comfortable. And he was always smiling. He made us feel so welcome. We had Erik as our guide who is so knowledgeable and experienced. We learned so much, saw so much wildlife. It really was a dream vacation. Thank you!! Read all
Chose this place to stay at the Amazon, as I heard it benefits the local indigenous community. Life changing experience. Oscar was an excellent guide! We saw so many wildlife! No 4th wall made it such an immersive jungle experience. Since they are eco friendly, there is no AC. It can get pretty hot depending on the season. So better to follow their guidance for clothing choices Read all
If you want to experience the Amazon in all its glory This is the place to come to Staff and guides were excellent Food was just incredible The forest walks were really interesting and informative Read all
If you are a birder, ask for Juan Carlos Yatto. He recognizes an astounding number of bird calls and can duplicate many of them. This place is magical, all I could have imagined. All the staff and scientists are incredible. The experience of a lifetime. Read all
This was the most amazing experience Very well organised The ground staff were so well organised The guides were excellent ( I’m looking at you Carlos!) Food was tasty and very varied Amazed that the chefs managed to get such variety in the middle of the Amazon Do not hesitate Book immediately you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended Read all
I can not say enough good things about my time at the Tambopata Research Center. Between the guides, the boat drivers, the chefs, the staff, the bartenders, the researchers, etc. Everyone was absolutely wonderful! If you are interested in viewing wildlife in the Amazon, this is the place for you! A special thank you to the maître d' Carlos who was so incredibly kind and hospitable and our guide Dino who was like a real life Indiana Jones. I can't wait to come back! Read all
An unforgettable, fully immersive jungle experience. Amazing how Tambopata Lodge delivers luxury touches in such a remote and rugged location. The food is fantastic, the staff incredible, and the wildlife sightings non-stop. The personalised itinerary and one-on-one guiding made the trip truly special—huge thanks to our guide Johan for sharing his passion and knowledge. The Macaw Project is inspiring, and it’s clear the lodge fully supports this important conservation work. Manager Brian was always kind, helpful. Well-done all involved. Read all
The most important fact we are grateful for is the true sense of understanding of the ecology of the Amazon the staff at Rainforest Expeditions (RFE) have shown us. RFE stands out for its stand against the pure, profit-motive initiatives many other tour operators do. We are very grateful to have had Carlos as our guide. Carlos is deeply dedicated, and is able to explain the nuances of the flora and fauna. The world today needs to act as one against the impact of climate change. RFE is one, bright shining light in this regard. Read all
We had a fabulous trip! The people were amazing, kind and very professional. The food was exceptionally good! The facilities are beautiful and well kept. We just loved our second time with Rainforest Expeditions and can't wait to go again!! Read all
Fantastic to be deep in the forest surrounded by incredible wildlife with our amazing guide Juan Carlos Yatto, who really knew his stuff! Also his photography skills meant that we could share our experience even better through his telescope using our phone cameras! We learned so much!! He went to extra lengths to find butterflies and moths for us along with so many different birds and monkeys. This was a travel highlight for us as experienced wildlife travellers. We loved our spacious room with no windows and open to more wildlife visitors but after 5 nights the bed could have been a little more comfortable. Luckily we had a second bed to use. Otherwise it was fantastic with hot water showers and fresh drinking water all the time. We were amazed at the variety of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn’t believe they could have such a wonderful food offering in such a remote location. Even the wine and cocktails were great. I highly recommend spending the extra money and time getting to this location. We stayed at another lodge later which was closer to Puerto Maldonado and there was far less wildlife. Read all
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