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Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. [2] As of December 2023, 1,100 species have been identified, with 166 genera. [3] The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas".
Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genus Urtica ), and bristles that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in ...
Heteroscodra maculata specimens are quite fast, defensive and possess medically significant venom.As these are old-world species, they do not possess urticating hairs, which further encourages them to bite as a primary defense.
They are distinguished from true spiders by their two pairs of book lungs, vertically oriented chelicerae, and urticating setae. However, like all members of Psalmopoeus, P. irminia lack these urticating hairs but make up for it by having stronger venom compared to other New World tarantulas.
[7] [8] When disturbed, like most other tarantulas, A. hentzi maneuvers itself to a stance on its hind legs and raises its front legs in a threatening manner. Additionally, A. hentzi and most other tarantulas found in the Americas have small, coarse, brown or black urticating hairs on their abdomens that they kick in the direction of whatever ...
Although it has hairy legs, this tarantula is an Old World species and does not have urticating hairs on its abdomen. (Urticating hairs are hairs found in most new world species (those from North and South America) that can be shed in defence, they are barbed and may cause severe itching.) It also has a leg span which may reach 8 inches (20 cm).
These tarantulas have been much prized as pets, due to their size, hardiness, and striking coloration. They are usually somewhat defensive, and their urticating hairs can be quite irritating to human skin, as with most other tarantulas found in the Americas. [5] These spiders, like many undomesticated pets, can bite when provoked.
As a defense against potential predators, and in common with many other New World tarantulas, the species of the genus Ephebopus will brush urticating hairs from their bodies. Uniquely, rather than being located on the abdomen, Ephebopus urticating hairs are located on the spider's palps - on the medial side of the palpal femora; [ 8 ] the ...