[VIDEO] This Is Why You Should NEVER Touch A Mysterious Looking Ball Of Fuzz
It was so fluffy and cute before it came alive.
By Mei Mei Chu — 03 Jan 2014, 05:55 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Yes, that hairy piece of fur ball is actually a nest of Daddy Longlegs
Yes, That Hairy Looking Piece Of Ball Is Actually A Nest Of Daddy-Longlegs Spiders
Image via theblaze.comPaglo Barroeta posted the video online. He, or whoever shot the footage, was not in any danger when he poked the toupee-resembling clump with his finger.
discovery.com
Up close, Daddy Longlegs look like little raisins with long, thin legs
Up close, Daddy Longlegs look like little raisins with long, thin legs
Image via natureswaypestcontrol.comDaddy Longlegs' nest comes in different sizes
At least the daddy-longlegs nest that the Vine user touched was not as terrifying as this
Image via blogs.comHowever, Daddy Longlegs are NOT spiders. They are also known as Opilionids or Harvestmen.
A video circulating around the net shows what looks to be a scary clump of spiders, but in reality it shows a harmless cluster of opillonids, aka "daddy long legs" just trying to stay warm.
The nickname "daddy long legs" and the appearance of the creepy crawlies have contributed to the confusion.
discovery.com
Most folks who retell this tale have no idea that they are referring to two completely separate groups of animals: "daddy-longlegs" and "daddy-longlegs spiders". The creatures most correctly called daddy-longlegs are in their own separate Order which is Opiliones.
ucr.eduThey are characterized by having one basic body segment which shows segmentation on the posterior portion, at most 2 eyes and all 8 legs attach to the pill-like body segment.
ucr.edu