Happy Face Spider Makes Scientists Smile  A happy-face spider
Spider looks happy enough - but faces threat of extinction
Scientists studying this tiny creature couldn't help but smile
when they noticed markings which looked just like a happy face.
But life is no laughing matter for the harmless spider, whose
scientific name is Theridion grallator, because it faces the
threat of extinction.  Researchers believe it developed the
unique patterns on its abdomen as a way of protecting itself
from predators.        The spider is found only on the islands
of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean but is
under threat from non-native animals.