There are three main species that are known by the common name "daddy long legs" and only one of these is a true spider. These species each have there own distinct name and they are:
all of this stupid stuff is wrong
First of all, there are actually three kinds of critters called daddy longlegs. The common name daddy longlegs is most often used to describe Opiliones, aka harvestmen. Opiliones are arachnids, but not spiders. They have no venom glands at all, and are absolutely not venomous. The nickname daddy longlegs may also refer to a crane fly, which is a true fly and a member of the order Diptera. Crane flies do not pose a threat, either.
Sometimes, the name daddy longlegs is used for another group of arachnids, the spiders of the family Pholcidae. These spiders are also called cellar spiders.
Cellar spiders do have venom glands. However, there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to confirm that their venom can harm a human being. Not a single documented case exists of a person being bitten by one and having an adverse reaction.
Pholcid spiders do have short fangs, but not any shorter than other spiders that have been known to bite humans. The cellar spider's fangs are similar in structure to those of a brown recluse spider, which we know can and does bite humans. Again, there is no evidence or proof to the claim that their fangs are too short to bite a person.
In fact, the show Mythbusters tackled this daddy longlegs legend back in 2004. Host Adam Savage subjected himself to a cellar spider bite, proving that the daddy longlegs spider is indeed capable of breaking human skin. The results? Savage reported nothing more than a very mild, short-lived burning sensation. Analysis of the daddy longlegs' venom revealed it's nowhere near as potent as venom from a black widow spider.
So, you really don't need to worry about daddy longlegs, of any variety. Answer:
Achmed Al'khalifaj
The daddy long legs is named for its incredibly long legs, which are massive in comparison to its body.
It is the common name for a really long legged spider (arachnid).
It depends on exactly what species you are identifying as "daddy long legs". The name daddy long legs can refer to several species or differing classifications. These are:* Harvestman - This species is not a true spider although it is classed as Arachnida, as it has eight legs. It is commonly called either "daddy long legs" or "grand daddy long legs" in the USA and is found worldwide, with over 6,400 species. There is a myth about these creatures being the most venomous of spiders, but its jaws are too small to bite, however this is a complete fallacy, as none of these species have venom glands or fangs. They are completely harmless and are not poisonous. * Crane fly - These are typically known as daddy long legs in the UK. They are a long legged flying insect that can be found all over the world. There are over 14,000 identified species. * Cellar Spider - This is the only true spider known by the name "daddy long legs". In fact all members of the family Pholcidae are group with this name. They are found commonly all over the world and again are easily recognised by their long legs. Again the myth says they are the most venomous spider in the world, but this is again untrue for the same reason as above.
A daddy long legs is a very spindly and harmless spider. Black widow spiders, on the other hand, are thicker and extremely poisonous. People should avoid black widow spiders whenever possible.
'Daddy Long Legs' is the colloquial name for three different creatures. One is the Crane Fly, which is an insect. The second is the cellar spider, which is a true spider. The last is the Harvestman, which is an 'arachnid', but does not belong to the 'spider' family, Aranea.
harvestman spider
The daddy long legs is named for its incredibly long legs, which are massive in comparison to its body.
The name daddy-long-legs beginning is unknown. It is suspected to have come from a book by Jean Webster about a girl in an orphanage whose benefactor is a tall man whom has long legs and she calls him Daddy Long Legs.
Daddy long legs or Pholcus phalangioides
The scientific name for a daddy long leg is Pholcus phalangioides.
Cranefly
Daddy long legs
None of the species know by the common name "daddy long legs" have gills, nor do they live in water and have need of them.
Another name for the "Crane fly" is the "Daddy long legs"
It is the common name for a really long legged spider (arachnid).
Daddy Long Legs, most commonly used in the U.K. In the U.S., Daddy Long Legs typically refers to a kind of spider.
Spiders usually have two body-parts while daddy long-legs have only one. Daddy long-legs have a teeny body with very long and thin legs, hence the name. Some spiders might have long legs and small body but you'll never find one as scrawny as the daddy long-legs. You can find daddy long-legs in groups sometimes while spiders are always alone. Spiders defend themselves by biting. Daddy long-legs spit acid and cannot bite, they're fangs are too small to penetrate skin.