Another name for daddy-longlegs

Answer 1

There isn't any one definitively known reason how it picked up this name, but there are several possible factors. The Spiders have longer legs than most spiders, and according to some fables they are considered to be the "daddy" of all spiders because they are thought to be the most venomous spider in the entire world. This is actually entirely untrue as it is a very popular urban legend. They actually aren't very venomous. Their venom is not very potent and it can't do any real harm to humans.

It is possible that they picked up this name because of the urban legend. Most lethal equals most like a father? It is a common conception that the male of a family is the provider and protector, so there are certain roots to the meaning behind the naming. Another could be from their interactions with the highly venomous redback spider, which is as venomous as the black widow. There have been observations where daddy-long-leg spiders have caught redbacks in their web, and that's where the myth could have originated from - that if it can kill a redback, it must be more venomous, but that's not the case either. Though, it could just be as simple as the spider's size in relation to other spiders. It is commonly assumed that the male of a species is the largest, though, entirely untrue as well.

The proper name for this spider and the arachnids in the same family are "harvestman".

Answer 2

if you have ever seen one they have very long legs

Answer 3

Leatherjackets

Answer 4

Another name for daddy-longlegs is "harvestman."