Types of Daddy Long Legs

The term "Daddy long-legs" is commonly used by the public for the cellar spider, but the term is the correct name for the harvestman, which is also an arachnid but is in a different phylogenic order (meaning it's a relative of the cellar spider) . While there are many myths surrounding these small creatures, one thing is for certain: neither creature is a threat to humans.

  1. Order Opiliones

    • The Daddy Long-legs is actually a spider-like creature of the Order Opiliones. This animal is not the common house spider you find in your basement or kitchen. It is also known as the harvestman or an opilionid.

    Order Araneae

    • Arachnologists have dubbed the cellar spider the "daddy long-legs spider" in an attempt to alleviate confusion on the part of the general public.

    Habitat

    • The real Daddy Long-legs, or Harvestmen, lives in moist areas such as logs and under rocks and rarely interact with humans unless you are out in the woods. More people are familiar with the cellar spider because it is commonly found in houses and cellars.

    Daddy Long-legs and Venom

    • There are myths surrounding the bites of these creatures. Harvestmen do not have fangs or venom and tend to feed on decomposing fruit, although they will eat prey if available.The cellar spider does have small fangs that are venomous, but according to scientists at the University of California at Riverside, no official research has been conducted as to whether or not they are poisonous to mammals and there are no documented instances of them having bitten humans and caused an adverse reaction.

    Types of Cellar Spiders

    • A gray daddy long-legs spider is found throughout the United States. One with a brown stripe on its abdomen is routine found on the Pacific coast and in desert areas in the Southwest.