Urticating Hair
Tiny, barbed hairs that some spiders and caterpillars use for defense.
What is it?
Urticating hairs are small, sharp hairs that can cause irritation when they touch skin or eyes. Some tarantulas, like the Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula, have these hairs on their abdomen. When threatened, they use their back legs to flick the hairs toward the attacker. The hairs can cause itching, redness, and discomfort.
Why it matters
Urticating hairs are an interesting defense mechanism. They help tarantulas protect themselves without biting. Understanding this adaptation shows how animals evolve unique ways to survive.
Where you've seen it
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