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Oh, Those Opiliones 2

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Description

What is an Opilione, you might ask?  Well, it's an order of arachnid most commonly known as harvestmen and sometimes known as daddy longlegs, granddaddy longlegs, or shepherd spiders.  However, these are NOT spiders, and contrary to popular legend not the least bit venomous.  Unlike spiders, their bodies are entirely fused together in a general oval shape and they boast only a single set of eyes (though some species have none, largely cave dwellers).  They do not have silk glands, they can eat both solid and liquid food, and they use their second set of legs as feelers or antennae.  They also breathe through spiracles behind their fourth set of legs instead of the book lungs spiders have, and can release a foul odor as a defense mechanism; large groups will cluster together to rest or hibernate, and can together create quite a stink if disturbed.  Their legs also, unlike a spider's, have pacemakers in them that cause them to twitch for a while after being detached (though please don't go around testing this).  Some are omnivores, feeding on small insects, plant material, and fungi, while others are scavengers, eating dead animals, bird dung, and other fecal matter.  Many tropical species like quite exotic, with more exaggerated legs and carapaces.

All told, they're absolutely one hundred percent harmless.
Image size
3648x2736px 1.3 MB
Make
Canon
Model
Canon PowerShot G12
Shutter Speed
1/79 second
Aperture
F/4.0
Focal Length
6 mm
ISO Speed
80
Date Taken
Aug 15, 2015, 3:57:23 PM
Sensor Size
7mm
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