A tarantula throwing hairs at you? is this their best defense mechanism? why?
2007-01-26 13:23:56 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
how good is a tarantula's accuracy at getting hairs in your face/eyes/nose/mouth?
2007-01-26 13:33:10 · update #1
Urticating hairs are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by some tarantulas. This term refers to the barbed hairs that cover the dorsal and posterior surface of the tarantula's abdomen. Many tarantula species will frequently kick hairs off their abdomens, directing them toward potential attackers. These hairs can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes, thus inducing physical irritation....however I would think their bite would be worse since it is venomous.
2007-01-26 13:36:46 · answer #1 · answered by ~*common sense*~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the hairs irritate the skin. When attacked, the hairs sting the eyes of the attacker, momentarily throwing them off guard allowing the spider to run away to safety.
2007-01-26 21:28:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not thier best, but it is their first. A hair in the eye is extremely painful. Heck in the skin it itches like crazy for days.
2007-01-26 21:27:35 · answer #3 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No but that's their warning. It's like the rattle on a rattlesnake. The hairs are like fiberglass and irritate like crazy. So if it's flicking at you, let it be because if it decides to bite you, look out...they get crazy fast when they strike.
2007-01-26 21:30:32 · answer #4 · answered by jpiglet86 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you but a pet tarantula, they wont be able to do this, and when the wild ones do this, it will only give you a rash
2007-01-26 21:44:38 · answer #5 · answered by koolwakeboarder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a book.. so i can squish the tarantula
2007-01-26 21:28:02 · answer #6 · answered by prepx3 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋