New World

New world tarantulas come from the Western Hemisphere and are considered to have a much milder venom.  They are slower moving and heavier bodied.  Their biggest form of defense are the tiny hairs that cover their abdomens.  These are called urticating hairs. When threatened, they will use their back legs to kick the hairs off of their abdomen and into the air. These tiny, floating hairs have barbed ends.  These can get into the eyes, nose or on the skin causing significant irritation.