Does tarantula hair grow?

[Allthingsterrarium]

I was just wondering out of curiosity. Considering many species of tarantulas, especially the brachypelma species, have that hair kicking habit and sometimes they get bald spots does it grow back like that of a mammal? Or does the spider have to wait until he molts to get new hair?

 

[Bugmom]

Tarantulas don't get any new parts of their anatomy until they molt. Legs, hair, etc. is only regenerated with a molt (and sometimes, not even then).

 

[Entity]

and technically it isnt really hair either. it doesnt really have a folical to grow up and out of really.

 

[Chubbs]

Tarantula hair is nothing like mammalian hair. Calling it hair isn't really even accurate, since they're actually bristles not hair. As was said above, They only regrow it when they molt, but it doesn't grow on its own.

 

[Allthingsterrarium]

Wow! That's pretty cool. If that's the case then what exactly are bristles? Are they tiny little appendages of the exoskeleton or something?

 

[Entity]

Wow! That's pretty cool. If that's the case then what exactly are bristles? Are they tiny little appendages of the exoskeleton or something?

Thats probably a more accurate way of looking at it. and depending on the species and placement on the spiders they r for defense or have sensory uses. The fact of the matter is that no one really knows the full capability of these appendages yet.

 

[Allthingsterrarium]

Thats probably a more accurate way of looking at it. and depending on the species and placement on the spiders they r for defense or have sensory uses. The fact of the matter is that no one really knows the full capability of these appendages yet.

Wow Dang!

 

[Chubbs]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1692475/

This essay gives a very in-depth explanation regarding arthropod hairs and their purpose(es) as well as the different types of hairs. There is also a full version PDF, although I have not read the whole thing myself just yet.

 

[Allthingsterrarium]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1692475/

This essay gives a very in-depth explanation regarding arthropod hairs and their purpose(es) as well as the different types of hairs. There is also a full version PDF, although I have not read the whole thing myself just yet.

Awesome! I'll give it a look!

 

[RedCapTrio]

Nope, does not grow back on its own but will be there by next molt.

 

[rénee]

http://animagraffs.com/tarantula/

This link isn't only on bristles but a lot of other stuff too, a fellow forum member posted this link a few weeks ago and is a really cool read in general

 

[RedCapTrio]

Yup, got that link from @SpiderDad61 , he's got the model T too.