Urticating Hairs

In truth, the biggest threat most of them hold is a defensive mechanism that has been named "Urticating Hairs." This is found mainly in the South Central American (New World) tarantulas. The tarantula uses its hind legs against the abdomen to brush a small cloud of barbed hairs into the air to induce irritation in the predator. The hairs hook into the skin and cause itching but people may vary in their sensitivity. Urticating hairs are also to establish their territories, and for making a cocoon. A bald spot temporarily appears on the tarantula's abdomen from the loss of the hairs, this is a tell tale sign the tarantula has this defense capability. So if your spider has a bald spot beware, as irritating could bring upon mild hypersensitivity.

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