The term “daddy long legs” commonly refers to several distinct creatures, leading to confusion about their reproductive habits. To accurately answer how many “babies” they have, it’s essential to clarify which animal is being discussed, as their reproductive strategies and offspring numbers vary significantly. This article explores these different animals and their unique reproductive habits and life cycles.
Defining “Daddy Long Legs”
The popular name “daddy long legs” can lead to misunderstandings, as it is applied to at least three different types of arthropods. The two most common are arachnids: harvestmen and cellar spiders. A third, less common, usage refers to crane flies, which are insects.
Harvestmen (Opiliones) are arachnids, but not true spiders. They are characterized by a single, oval-shaped body segment, unlike spiders which have two distinct body parts. Harvestmen do not produce silk or webs, and they lack venom glands. They are typically scavengers, feeding on decaying matter, small insects, and even other arachnids.
Cellar spiders (Pholcidae) are true spiders with two body segments: a cephalothorax and an abdomen. They possess venom, though it is not harmful to humans. These spiders construct irregular, messy webs, often found in damp, dark areas like basements and cellars.
Crane flies (Tipulidae) are insects, not arachnids. They have slender bodies, long legs, and wings, resembling oversized mosquitoes. Harmless, they do not bite, and their mouthparts are not adapted for piercing skin. They are often attracted to light and found in moist environments.
Offspring Numbers and Reproductive Habits
The number of offspring and reproductive behaviors differ considerably between harvestmen and cellar spiders. Crane flies, being insects, have a distinct reproductive cycle that involves laying eggs in the ground or near water.
Harvestmen typically reproduce sexually, with females laying eggs singly or in small groups in protected locations such as under tree bark, in soil, or mulch. While egg numbers vary by species and environmental conditions, females can lay hundreds of eggs. In some species, parental care is observed, with males sometimes guarding eggs laid by multiple females, protecting them from predators. This paternal care is unique among arachnids.
Cellar spiders lay their eggs within a loosely woven silk sac. The number of eggs per sac can range from 10 to 60 or more. A female can produce multiple egg sacs throughout her lifetime, typically around three. A distinguishing characteristic is the female’s unique parental care, where she carries the egg sac in her chelicerae (mouthparts) until the spiderlings hatch. This behavior offers protection to the developing eggs.
The Journey from Egg to Maturity
The developmental journey from an egg to a mature adult involves several stages for both harvestmen and cellar spiders. After hatching, these young arthropods undergo a series of molts, shedding their exoskeletons as they grow. This process allows for an increase in size and development towards their adult form.
For harvestmen, eggs can take 20 days to six months to hatch, depending on temperature and species. Once hatched, young harvestmen, known as nymphs, typically pass through several immature stages, often six, before reaching adulthood. The adult stage can last from one to two months, or over a year for some species. Factors like predation, food availability, and environmental conditions influence their survival rates.
Cellar spiderlings emerge from their eggs looking like miniature adults. They undergo several molts, sometimes up to eight, taking approximately one year to reach maturity. Adult cellar spiders then live for an additional one to two years. During their development, young cellar spiders face threats from predators and depend on sufficient food resources. The mother’s protection of the egg sac and newly hatched spiderlings plays a role in their early survival.