The Myth Of The Granddaddy Long Legs

Uncovering the Truths of Grandaddy Long Legs

Folks use the term granddaddy long leg to describe many arachnids. Of the three most called this endearing name, only one is a true spider. People will call the cellar spider, harvestman, and crane flies all the same things. However, the characteristics of these three critters are vastly different. Here are some interesting differences between them:

Cellar Spiders

These are animals that fall into the category of Phocidae. They’re venomous spiders that have a body that splits into two segments. Their body is also equipped with eight eyes.

Crane Flies

While they’re commonly confused with spiders, these creatures fall into the insect category. Their bodies are unusually long, and confusion often comes into play. They don’t have any venom and cannot bite humans. They live to reproduce and lay eggs and die within a few days.

Harvestmen

These animals are opiliones and arthropods, and they’re not even spiders. They don’t have eight eyes, only two. There are no venom glands or fangs to bite you with either. They have one solid body with pincher-like appendages used to tear their prey apart.

The granddaddy long legs most commonly found roaming around your basement and outside your home are in fact harvestmen. While harvestmen don’t have venom running through their veins, they do produce venom that they inject into their prey when hunting for food. They also have a defense mechanism that, when disturbed, will cover itself in a chemical that darkens their look and gives off an awful smell.

So why is there so much confusion and myth around granddaddy long-legs? It’s just like any scary story or fable told through the decades. Once a story is told repeatedly, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.

Diet of Granddaddy Long Legs

Granddaddy long legs eat a diet consisting of organic matter. They are scavengers that look to eat dead and decaying organisms or materials. Granddaddy long legs play a big role in the ecosystem as they assist in the decomposition process. They will also eat other things they come across in their journey. Since they don’t spin a web like other spiders, they rely on food from the ground. Fungi, algae, and dead insects are among the other things they will eat while looking for dead plants and animals.

Lifespan of Granddaddy Long Legs

The huntsman, famously known as granddaddy long legs, has a shorter lifespan than most. In most cases, they can complete their entire life cycle in a year or less. Of course, this is due to the different environmental conditions they face, where the lifespan could only be a matter of months. The temperature, humidity, food availability, and predator risks can impact their survival rates.

Reproduction

Granddaddy long legs need both males and females to complete the breeding process. The males are old-fashioned in their courtship, as they want to demonstrate to the female that they’re suitable as mates.

Courtship

The search for the female is complicated, and the male spider pulls out all their charm. They use chemical signals and vibrations to get attention. Once they find a suitable partner, he’s very cautious when he approaches her. He doesn’t want to be attacked or mistaken for prey.

At the end of the courtship, the copulation occurs. Sperm is transferred from the male to the female through a gland called the pedipalps. Ironically, these glands are located near his mouth and not in the traditional reproductive area. The male inserts the pedipalps into the female’s reproductive opening, and the transfer of sperm is completed.

Delayed Fertilization

The female granddaddy long-leg spider doesn’t have to use the sperm immediately, as she can store it inside her spermathecae. She gets to decide when she’s ready to lay her eggs. Delayed fertilization allows her to wait until the conditions are optimal, and she can take her time creating the silk egg sac so that the eggs can be protected from nature.

Creating a Sac

The ootheca is the official term for the egg sac, and the female spins it using her spinnerets that are close to her abdomen. The egg sac of this species is diverse from that of other “spiders,” as it’s flat and leathery. It’s got more of a disc shape than that of a purse.

The female harvestman is very protective of her eggs and guards the egg sac. Though she puts it in a sheltered area, she will carry it if she needs to leave. She’s vigilant to ensure no predators get her eggs or environmental hazards destroy them.

Incubation Period

This phase can range from several weeks to several months. Some eggs will hatch around 2-3 weeks, while some will take longer to hatch and will do so around the 4-6 week mark. This is greatly influenced by temperature, humidity, and prey.

Hatching and Development

When the time is right for hatching, the new granddaddy long legs will disperse independently. They will begin the process of going through several molts by shedding their exoskeleton. As each molt takes place, these little harvestmen will mature and grow in size. They continue to grow fully on their own repeating the life cycle.

Granddaddy Long Legs Preferred Climate

Granddaddy long legs can be found all over the world and thrive in climates with higher humidity levels. They are attracted to moisture and will be found in forests, around water, and piles of leaf litter. The best climate is one that is not too hot and not too cold, as extreme temperatures will greatly affect their survival. In New Jersey, these harvestman creatures will be more active in the spring and summer months and will show up in areas where there is a lot of vegetation.

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