Tarantula’s Fluffy but Fierce Defense

Why does this tarantula’s fluff pack a punch? Meet Viola, a Honduran curly haired tarantula whose curls hide a surprising defense: she can flick tiny barbed hairs from her abdomen towards a predator’s face, causing irritation to the eyes, nose, or mouth that’s painful enough to stop an attack. Because of this powerful defense, she doesn’t need strong venom or an aggressive attitude. These tarantulas are calmer than their cousins, and evolution may have shaped them that way thanks to their hairy secret weapon.