Thrixopelma pruriens

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

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

In 2014, researchers at Yale University identified a protein from the tarantula's toxin that shows promise as a new painkiller drug. The protein reduces activity in an ion pump associated with inflammation and neuropathic pain, making it potentially suitable as a treatment for both normal pain and pathological pain syndromes.