Urticating hair of mexican red knee tarantula (Brachypelma smithi) Science Image

Ref: 80015059



Tarantula spider hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the irritant hairs of a Mexican red-knee tarantula (Brachypelma smithi). This large tarantula scrapes these hairs off its back legs as a form of defence. The hairs are extremely irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, and may cause attackers hours of pain. Mexican red-kneed tarantulas are found in the rainforests of Mexico and southern USA. It preys on insects, mice and small frogs. Female red-kneed tarantulas can live for 25 years or more. Magnification x1300 at a size of 10cm wide