Besides fangs and venom, what other defense do most New World tarantulas use?

elburcher

Members of the genera Avicularia and Iridopelma possess urticating “hair” (setae) which are used in defence. These "hairs" (not true hairs that grow) are barbed and when the tarantula’s abdomen makes physical contact with the skin of another animal the urticating setae are imbedded into the predator’s skin. http://www.thebts.co.uk/New%20World%20Arboreal%20Tarantulas.htm Sep 06 07, 8:50 AM

crotalus77

Thank you . I also read somewhere that itching powder was actually made from these hairs . Sep 06 07, 9:05 AM

zbeckabee

Here's a link for your itching powder. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/animals/invertebrates/tarantula.htm Sep 06 07, 2:58 PM

star_gazer

Tarantulas will also run away sometimes as a defense. Sep 06 07, 8:18 PM

queproblema

I can attest to the discomfort of that burning itch, having once stepped barefoot into a boot in which a tarantula had taken up temporary abode. Sep 06 07, 10:29 PM