Its a little of both i think. They usually do it while handling but ive seen them do it while just hanging out in their cages as well.so is the "crap shoot" completely defensive or is this just how they expel waste?
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the versicolors have urticating hairs, but not the ability to kick them. Is this true? And if so what istheir means of delivering them?
Hmmm but surely the other Avics are able to kick them too, but typically don't, right?All Avics have urticating hairs, what sets versicolor apart is being to kick them off (like terrestrial T's), rather them simply press them into you.
No they can't kick them. Only versicolor has the ability to kick them. Don't quote me on this, but I've read that most Avics have what are called "Type II" uricating hairs in that they can't be kicked off, but must be brushed against an attacker in which they break off, sort of like porcupine quills I suppose.Hmmm but surely the other Avics are able to kick them too, but typically don't, right?
I've only seen urticating setae characterized by their morphology, not by the mechanism in which they are released. I have always been under the impression that all urticating setae are released from the T regardless of the species or the mechanism of release, and not broken off. I'd like to know more about this, esp if I'm wrong!No they can't kick them. Only versicolor has the ability to kick them. Don't quote me on this, but I've read that most Avics have what are called "Type II" uricating hairs in that they can't be kicked off, but must be brushed against an attacker in which they break off, sort of like porcupine quills I suppose.
This may helpI've only seen urticating setae characterized by their morphology, not by the mechanism in which they are released. I have always been under the impression that all urticating setae are released from the T regardless of the species or the mechanism of release, and not broken off. I'd like to know more about this, esp if I'm wrong!
No, the other Avics push them in, which is a strange adaptation, the hairs are shaped differently because of it. They have to come in contact with their predator, negating most of the advantages of urticating hairs (being able to use them from a distance). Obviously there's an evolutionary reason for it.Hmmm but surely the other Avics are able to kick them too, but typically don't, right?
I see, thanks guys.No, the other Avics push them in, which is a strange adaptation, the hairs are shapred differently because of it. They have to come in contact with their predator, negating most of the advantages of urticating hairs (being to use them from a distance). Obviously there's an evolutionary reason for it.