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", and bristles that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in several families. This term also refers to certain types of barbed bristles that cover the dorsal and posterior surface of a tarantula's or caterpillar's abdomen. Many tarantula species eject bristles from their abdomens, directing them toward potential attackers. These bristles can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes, causing physical irritation, usually to great discomfort. The term urticating hairs is a misnomer, as technically only mammals possess true hairs.
The Goliath birdeater belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America, it is the largest spider in the world by mass – 175 g (6.2 oz) – and body length – up to 13 cm (5.1 in) – but it is second to the giant huntsman spider by leg span. It is also called the Goliath bird-eating spider; the practice of calling theraphosids "bird-eating" derives from an early 18th-century copper engraving by Maria Sibylla Merian that shows one eating a hummingbird. Despite the spider's name, it only rarely preys on birds.
Avicularia is a genus of the family Theraphosidae containing various species of tarantulas. The genus is native to tropical Central and South America. Each species in the genus has very distinguishable pink foot pads.
Grammostola is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1892. These medium to large sized spiders are native to tropical South America, and are usually brown in color, with pinkish or orangish-red hairs. The very docile Chilean rose tarantulas are popular as a beginner's spider among tarantula enthusiasts.
Theraphosa is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described by Tamerlan Thorell in 1870. As of May 2020 it contains three species, found in Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia: T. apophysis, T. blondi, and T. stirmi. They stridulate by rubbing setae on their pedipalps and legs.
Annandaliella travancorica is a species of tarantula spider found in the Western Ghats of India. It was the first of three members of the genus Annandaliella to be described, therefore the type species.
Grammostola pulchra is a species of tarantula, native to Brazil. It is known for its solid black body, which makes it an appealing tarantula for the pet trade.
Phormictopus is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas) that occurs in the West Indies, mainly Cuba and Hispaniola, with three species probably misplaced in this genus found in Brazil and Argentina.
Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae Currently, about 1,000 species have been identified. 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". Some of the more common species have become popular in the exotic pet trade. Many New World species kept as pets have urticating hairs that can cause irritation to the skin, and in extreme cases, cause damage to the eyes.
Grammostola anthracina is a species of spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). It is found in Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.
Pelinobius is a monotypic genus of east African tarantulas containing the single species, Pelinobius muticus. It was first described by Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch in 1885, and is found in Tanzania and Kenya.
Theraphosa apophysis is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Venezuela and Brazil.
The Theraphosinae are a large subfamily of Mygalomorphae spiders in the family Theraphosidae found in the Neotropical realm.
The Stromatopelminae are a subfamily of tarantulas native to West Africa and part of Central Africa. The subfamily was first proposed by Günter Schmidt in 1993.
Euphrictus spinosus is a tarantula, subfamily Selenogyrinae, first described by A.S. Hirst in 1908. It is only known from the male, and from the Dja River, Cameroon.
The Selenogyrinae are a subfamily of tarantulas found in Africa and Asia.
Euphrictus is a genus of tarantula which is found in Africa. It is part of the subfamily Selenogyrinae.
Theraphosa stirmi is a species of tarantula belonging to the family Theraphosidae. It is known as the burgundy goliath bird eater.
Homoeomma is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1871. It is considered a senior synonym of Calopelma, Butantania, and of Cyclothoracoides.
Tliltocatl schroederi is a species of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), found in Mexico. It is found in the central valley in Oaxaca State, Mexico.
