2007-08-07 08:41:01 · 6 answers · asked by soccerstar 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Tarantulas have hair for two reasons.
1. It is used as a defense. The hairs are pointed and when agitated the spider rubs some off and they get carried on the air and irritate the eyes and nose of the predator. Also predators that might think the tarantula a meal may be deterred by all the hair on the body.
2. The hair is used for thermoregulation (regulating body temperature). Tarantulas come out at night and desert nights can be cool. Thus the tarantula is coming out of a warm burrow into cool air and is kept warm by the hair. In the morning if they haven't made it back home yet the hair can keep them from absorbing the suns rays quite as rapidly, thus keeping them cooler as the temperature begins to soar.
2007-08-07 08:51:28 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff Sadler 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
'Hair' in spiders serves a number of useful functions: some hairs are 'vibration sensors' that have nerve endings attached to the base to detect airborne vibrations, their strength and direction; others may have a defensive purpose - the tarantula's 'body hair' is this kind - the hair acts somewhat like a porcupine's quills, only in the case of the tarantula, at least some kinds will rub their back legs over the abdomen when disturbed, to break hairs loose that will float in the air near the tarantula and act as a cloud of irritating barbs. One problem tarantula keepers may run into is eye irritations from these hairs. Other spiders may use specialized hairs as 'combs' (the theridiidae - cob-web spiders, including the widows) or identifying markers (certain jumping spiders have 'eyebrow tufts'). I vaguely recall that certain hairs may have scent receptors or sound detectors, but I could be mis-remembering those details. It's not really that tarantulas are actually hairier, it's more that the tarantula's hairs are actually larger and thicker and easier to see than the hairs of most spiders.
2007-08-07 09:47:08 · answer #2 · answered by John R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rebecca, are you sure of that about hairiness is for swimmiing?
The biggest spider in New Zealand is a water spider. It can grow to about 4 inches, maybe not quite as big as some tarantulas, but it is not hairy. And it moves on top of the water.
I think the tarantulas hairiness may have another purpose.
2007-08-07 08:48:03 · answer #3 · answered by nick s 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tarantula's have hair because they use it as a defense mechanism they have millions of hairs, some are microscopic and are irritants when a predator comes too close they will flick some hairs on them and it causes a lot of irritation.
2007-08-07 08:44:03 · answer #4 · answered by Vince 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The use Rogaine after every meal.
2007-08-07 09:54:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
tarantulas have hair so they can walk on water better. the hair helps not to break the surface tension.
2007-08-07 08:43:52 · answer #6 · answered by rebecca v d liep 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋