Trichopelma grande is a newly discovered species of tarantula with incredibly hairy limbs. (Photo courtesy of David Ortiz)
Name: Giant Hairy Tarantula (Trichopelma grande)
Habitat: Western Cuba.
Diet: insects, lizards, frogs and other small reptiles.
Why is this interesting:
Arachnophobes may not appreciate the discovery of a previously unnoticed “giant” species of tarantula, but for fans of these obscure creatures, Trichopelma grande is a real find. Not only is this species larger and hairier than other spiders of its kind, it is also the only one with long, furry, “feathery” legs.
T. grande was first spotted in 2008 in Vinales National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in western Cuba. Only four individuals have been recorded so far: three adult males and one juvenile male, all found in burrow traps on the ground.
The genus Trichopelma contains 23 species, all of which are very small tarantulas. As its name suggests, T. grande is the largest known member of its genus, with a body length of 0.33 to 0.44 inches (8.4 to 11.2 millimeters). However, the spider's most noticeable feature is its unusually hairy limbs.
Hairy legs are usually found in arboreal tarantulas, so this feature is quite unusual for a terrestrial species.
David Ortiz, a researcher at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic and lead author of the paper describing the species, noted that the long, hairy limbs may help tarantulas defend themselves from predators such as birds or snakes.
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A new species of tarantula, T. grande. (Photo courtesy of David Ortiz)
A close-up showing the features of T. grande. (Photo by David Ortiz)
T. grande trap burrow. (Photo courtesy of David Ortiz) Feather duster legs
“Legs
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