The name “daddy longlegs” is commonly used to describe several very different creatures, which often causes confusion. In North America and many other regions, it may refer to cellar spiders, harvestmen, or even crane flies. Among these, the harvestman, belonging to the order Opiliones, is the creature most accurately called a true daddy longlegs. Unlike spiders, harvestmen have their head, thorax, and abdomen fused into one oval body, giving them a compact look supported by their extremely long, thin legs.
One of the key differences between true daddy longlegs and spiders is that harvestmen do not produce silk. They cannot spin webs, and they also lack venom glands and fangs. Instead, they feed on a variety of organic matter, including small insects, plant material, and decaying substances. This scavenging diet makes them beneficial members of ecosystems, as they help break down waste and recycle nutrients.
Despite their harmless nature, myths about daddy longlegs abound. One of the most persistent is the claim that they are extremely venomous but unable to bite humans because their fangs are too small. In reality, harvestmen have no venom at all, and cellar spiders, which are often also called daddy longlegs, have venom that is not dangerous to humans. These misunderstandings contribute to unnecessary fear of creatures that pose no threat.
Daddy longlegs are also notable for their fascinating behaviors. When threatened, they may release a foul-smelling odor as a defense mechanism. Some species can detach a leg to escape predators, and the detached leg may twitch for some time to distract the attacker. They also use their long legs as sensory tools, feeling their surroundings in much the same way that antennae function for insects.
These creatures can be found all over the world, from forests and fields to caves, basements, and woodpiles. Their adaptability and wide diet allow them to thrive in many environments, including near human homes. Far from being dangerous, daddy longlegs are gentle, intriguing arachnids that highlight the diversity of nature and the misconceptions that can arise when similar-looking creatures are grouped under a single common name.
Spiders That Look Like Daddy Long Legs
Pholcus phalangioides (Long-Bodied Cellar Spider)
This is one of the most common species mistaken for daddy long legs due to its extremely long, thin legs and small, elongated body (0.2–0.31 inches). It has a yellowish-brown, nearly translucent appearance with dark markings. Native to Europe but widespread globally, it’s often found in homes, basements, caves, and under stones. It builds messy tangle webs and vibrates rapidly when threatened to deter predators.
Holocnemus pluchei (Marbled Cellar Spider)
Featuring a gray body with a marbled pattern on the abdomen and black markings on leg joints, this spider has a body size of 0.19–0.27 inches and very thin legs. It’s distributed across North Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the U.S. (especially California). It prefers building communal messy webs in homes or outdoors to catch insects like flies.
Spermophora senoculata (Short-Bodied Cellar Spider)
Unlike longer-bodied relatives, this species has a more globular, short opisthosoma (abdomen) but still sports long, thin legs. It’s pale and small, often under 0.2 inches. Commonly synanthropic (associated with humans), it’s found worldwide in dark, humid spots like cellars and attics. It lacks the middle pair of eyes, totaling six.
Smeringopus pallidus (Pale Daddy Longleg Spider)
With an elongated cylindrical body up to 0.27 inches and legs spanning nearly 2 inches, it has purplish spots on the abdomen and tiny sensory hairs. It’s found globally in dusty corners of buildings, gardens, and drains. It hangs upside down in messy webs and vibrates when disturbed.
Crossopriza lyoni (Tailed Cellar Spider)
Known for its pointed, tailed abdomen and amber color with dark markings, the body is 0.098–0.28 inches with long, thin legs. Widespread in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas, it inhabits human structures like homes and cellars, building large irregular webs it sometimes abandons.
Artema atlanta (Giant Daddy Longleg Spider)
The largest in the family, with a body of 0.31–0.43 inches and leg span up to 2 inches, it has banded legs and a round, bulbous abdomen. Native to tropical areas like Asia and Africa, it’s introduced to places like the U.S. (Arizona, Hawaii). It thrives in warm, humid environments and is synanthropic.
Physocyclus globosus
This species has a globular body and long, thin legs, with males featuring cone-shaped projections on chelicerae. It’s synanthropic and found in places like Costa Rica, often introduced to new areas. It prefers indoor habitats and has stridulatory ridges for sound production.
Psilochorus hesperus (Northwestern Cellar Spider)
A small species with long, thin legs and a whitish-gray body, it’s part of the New World clade. Native to North America, especially the northwestern U.S. and Canada, it inhabits cellars, caves, and forests. It’s harmless and builds irregular webs.
Metagonia delicata
Tiny with long, thin legs and a cylindrical opisthosoma, it’s found in Central America like Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It prefers humid, tropical environments and is often collected in forests or near water.
Modisimus guatuso
This species has long, thin legs and may have only six eyes. It’s distributed in North and Central America, including Costa Rica, and introduced elsewhere. It inhabits damp areas like caves and under foliage.
Leptopholcus delicatulus
With exceptionally long, delicate legs and a small body, it’s native to Cuba and other Caribbean areas. It lives in tropical forests and human dwellings, building fine webs.
Priscula binghamae
Larger with a body up to 7.1 mm, light brown legs with rings, and an opisthosoma covered in black and white spots. Found in South America like Bolivia, it prefers high-elevation habitats around 1650 m.
Ibotyporanga naideae
Medium-sized with short legs relative to some but still thin, greenish-gray body with dark spots. Endemic to Brazil, it’s found on dry leaves in forests like those with Orbignya martiana palms.
Spermophorides lascars
Very small (body just over 1 mm) with long, thin legs. Native to Africa and Europe, it inhabits caves and dark crevices, often in Mediterranean regions.