Hair Spiders

Dear Readers,

I am not a board certified biologist, but I believe I may have discovered a new species.  I have named it the "hair spider."

I first started noticing these creatures about 3 years ago, soon after Malinda and I were married.  I thought maybe they only lived in the US, but I have found them in increasing numbers in Switzerland and other European countries.  Please be on the lookout.

Hair spiders look a lot like common "daddy long legs" spiders (Opiliones).  However, my research on wikipedia has not led me to the same thing I am seeing.  Hair spiders have a central body and very long thin legs, but the number of legs can vary.

WARNING: Malinda feels that some of the pictures I have of hair spiders are inappropriate for our readers.  I guess she is just really squeamish???  Do not scroll down if you have a sensitive stomach.  Just check for the next post.

It seems like they have a defense mechanism of playing dead when you look at them directly.  I have never seen one moving.  However, they must be able to move, because I often find them near our couch where Malinda sits and then I find them in the kitchen or attached to my socks or tangled in my shoelaces.