Serious 'green feet' (and attitude)

[Lostkat]

Originally posted by Ultimate Instar
I'm pretty sure that it's a diffraction effect. Take a look at a DVD or a CD. That's caused by a diffraction grating, i.e. the grooves are lined up next to each and evenly spaced. The reflected light is split up into its component parts, a rainbow effect. My guess is that the hairs on the T's foot pads are very thin and evenly spaced to allow adhesion to slippery surfaces. The hairs reflect some light and the result is a very pretty iridescence. I doubt that it's much of a threat display, just a coincidence related to their ability to climb smooth surfaces.

Karen N.

well that's 3 of us who agree now

 

[Longbord1]

im totally serious i read about it thats why they flick their legs up it's a defense mechanism if u look at other insects they scare animals with colors and it scares they because its like a flash of colors same with some moths they flash there wings as a defensive mechanisim all of a sudden u see these owl eyes the pads ,ay have something to do with climing cause may usumbara can clime super well up anything

 

[Kenny]

Showing the legs..

Hi

I also have the theory, since I have been working like the "bad" guy with one of my friends that is a K - 9 unit officer and what he told me about dogs.

If a dog came running at you , you can turn around and swing both your arms out above your head and downwards along your side and scream "no" at the same time ( the "no" is how no-sensitive ev. the dog is ).

The reason to do the arm thing is that in the eyes of the dog you look much bigger than you really are and that can be a scare itself for the dog.

So my thought is that the leg stridulating that the tarantulas do might be a look-a-lot-bigger towards the ev. predator that try to get them.

Kenny

 

[atmosphere]

I think you may all be correct ! I agree both reasons are good theorys.

 

[Buspirone]

I don't know if anyone here gardens but a more recent trick to deter garden pests is to hang CDs from strings. The refraction of light and the multicolors is supposed to disorient some insects, birds and other animals so they tend to avoid the area. I don't know if it works since I never tried it but I have read the tip on several different gardening websites,forums, mailing lists and those people swear by it.