Daddy Long Legs Spiders
WouterDaddy long legs spiders are arachnids. They are part of the Order Opiliones. This order contains many different species. They are found in deserts and other damp areas. Unlike other arachnids, they do not spin their own webs. Instead, they eat small insects, snails, and earthworms. They are generally beneficial to the environment.
Some species are venomous. Other species have defensive secretions. Depending on the species, these secretions may be used for reproductive purposes. They are also known to produce a foul odor. This odor is a defense against predators.
Daddy long legs spiders are found in every continent except Antarctica. They live in dark places, such as dung piles, attics, and basements. They tend to hang out in a large group. They will sometimes rest on leaves, or even lie flat on a leaf.
In the wild, they can live for up to two years. In captivity, they can live for up to seven years. However, they are usually not considered pests. In fact, they are beneficial to gardens.
The males of these spiders are smaller than the females. The females lay eggs in soil. The eggs hatch in the spring. The baby spiders develop to adulthood in about a year.
The males have a protruding penis. This structure can be up to 30 times longer than the body. They can also have a pair of pedipalps, or sensory appendages. Some males have anal glands, which may be used for reproductive purposes.
