Thrixopelma pruriens, known as the Peruvian green velvet tarantula,[2] is a species of tarantula found in Chile and Perú in South America.

[1][3] Though docile, this species is rarely kept as a pet in part due to its tendency to fling urticating hairs with minimal provocation.

[4] In 2014, researchers at Yale University identified a toxin called Protoxin-I from the tarantula's venom that shows promise as a new painkiller drug.

[5] The toxin reduces activity in an ion channel associated with inflammation and neuropathic pain, making it potentially suitable as a treatment for both normal pain and pathological pain syndromes.

This Theraphosidae-related article is a stub.