Why Does This Tarantula Have Such a Long Penis? To Avoid Cannibalism

Researchers have discovered four new species of tarantula in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, belonging to a new genus called Satyrex. One of the characteristics of these species is the unusually large size of the male reproductive organs.

In the tarantula Satyrex ferox, the male reproductive organs reach a length of 5 centimeters, as long as the animal's longest legs. Researchers speculate that this size allows the male to mate from a distance with aggressive females, avoiding cannibalism.

Two of the new species, S.arabicus and S.somalicus, are named after the regions in which they live, while the fourth is named S.speciosus due to its impressive coloration.