Scientists have found evidence that the hairy bodies of some tarantulas keep them safe from a dangerous—but tiny—foe.
Scientists may have solved a mystery about one of nature’s most imposing creepy crawlies: tarantulas. In a new study this week, the researchers have found evidence that the hairy bodies of some tarantulas keep them safe from army ants. These spiders also seem to be generally friendly toward frogs, toads, and other animals as part of a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Scientists in Canada, Finland, and the U.S. conducted the new research, intended as a deep dive into what we know about how tarantulas interact with other animals. Tarantulas are typically large and hairy spiders that belong to the family Theraphosidae, though some similar-looking species outside this group are also called tarantulas. There are about 1,100 known species of tarantula, which can be found throughout the world.
According to the researchers, these cross-species partnerships have been seen across nine subfamilies of tarantulas. But the scientists were able to identify new associations between tarantulas and a variety of animals, including snakes, whip spiders, harvestmen, and anurans, or frogs and toads . In particular, the team spotted 63 new cases of tarantula spiders appearing to team up with frogs and toads across ten countries.
“The dense hair covering the tarantula’s body makes it difficult for the ants to bite or sting the spider. Therefore, we believe that the hairiness may have evolved as a defense mechanism. This hypothesis is supported by findings that many burrowing New World tarantulas cover their egg sacs with urticating hairs. The tarantulas typically release these barbed hairs as a defense mechanism, deterring and sometimes even killing their attackers.
More research will be needed to confirm these findings, as well as other fascinating aspects of these arachnids. The researchers have found some early evidence to suggest that tarantulas can emit defensive secretions to ward off predators, for example, which may explain why cats and dogs have been observed making a hasty retreat after sniffing tarantulas. Either way, it just goes to show that there’s still so much to learn about our many-legged neighbors.
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