Might get a pet ‘daddy long legs’?

[Dragonsongbird]

So I’ve always thought spiders were cool, my favorites are probably daddy long legs (and the most likely I will be able to get). I have a gecko who upgraded tanks, so I have a 10 gallon tank sitting on my floor with a screened lid of course. Food is the easy part, I have some cans on dead dried mealworms and crickets my gecko never ate. I also have a mealworm breeding farm and am constantly finding dead beetles in their tank. I figure giving them to a spider is better than throwing them in the trash (or letting it’s friends eat it, that’s just plain gross..)
I need help with any humidity levels or temperatures though? Do they like to climb? Can they climb up glass? How much water do they need? (I assume tap water is fine for them?) Will it feel safe if I put a few rocks, logs, sticks, and an inch of dirt in there? I can’t find much on the web so I have a lot of questions..

 

[DaveM]

You are talking about getting a Pholcid, a daddy long legs spider or cellar spider, right? Pholcidae is one of the most species-rich families of spiders, and particulars will depend on the species.
They usually live in damp caves or the damp cellars of people's houses, never getting rain or dew. Pholcus phalangioides has a cosmopolitan distribution and is synanthropic (living with people), so it will be most familiar and is probably the species you mean. I have some living in my basement, in fact, and it isn't damp down there. They can climb glass. They eat small insects, but many pholcids also prey on other spiders, especially on Tegeneria spp., even pirating food and egg sacs of other spiders. Their long legs help them win fights one would not expect them to win, being such spindly and delicate looking spiders.
Hydrated prey should provide more than adequate water. I don't think dead and dried prey is a good idea at all, though.
Good luck, and enjoy

 

[Nicole C G]

So I’ve always thought spiders were cool, my favorites are probably daddy long legs (and the most likely I will be able to get). I have a gecko who upgraded tanks, so I have a 10 gallon tank sitting on my floor with a screened lid of course. Food is the easy part, I have some cans on dead dried mealworms and crickets my gecko never ate. I also have a mealworm breeding farm and am constantly finding dead beetles in their tank. I figure giving them to a spider is better than throwing them in the trash (or letting it’s friends eat it, that’s just plain gross..)
I need help with any humidity levels or temperatures though? Do they like to climb? Can they climb up glass? How much water do they need? (I assume tap water is fine for them?) Will it feel safe if I put a few rocks, logs, sticks, and an inch of dirt in there? I can’t find much on the web so I have a lot of questions..

There are three main invertebrates by the name “Daddy long legs” there is cellar spiders, harvestmen (an arachnid, but not a spider) , and crane flies (a type of insect). They need to know so they can help you!

 

[Dragonsongbird]

You are talking about getting a Pholcid, a daddy long legs spider or cellar spider, right? Pholcidae is one of the most species-rich families of spiders, and particulars will depend on the species.
They usually live in damp caves or the damp cellars of peoples houses, never getting rain or dew. Pholcus phalangioides has a cosmopolitan distribution and is synanthropic (living with people), so it will be most familiar and is probably the species you mean. I have some living in my basement, in fact, and it isn't damp down there. They can climb glass. They eat small insects, but many pholcids also prey on other spiders, especially on Tegeneria spp., even pirating food and egg sacs of other spiders. Their long legs help them win fights one would not expect them to win, being such spindly and delicate looking spiders.
Hydrated prey should provide more than adequate water. I don't think dead and dried prey is a good idea at all, though.
Good luck, and enjoy

You are talking about getting a Pholcid, a daddy long legs spider or cellar spider, right? Pholcidae is one of the most species-rich families of spiders, and particulars will depend on the species.
They usually live in damp caves or the damp cellars of peoples houses, never getting rain or dew. Pholcus phalangioides has a cosmopolitan distribution and is synanthropic (living with people), so it will be most familiar and is probably the species you mean. I have some living in my basement, in fact, and it isn't damp down there. They can climb glass. They eat small insects, but many pholcids also prey on other spiders, especially on Tegeneria spp., even pirating food and egg sacs of other spiders. Their long legs help them win fights one would not expect them to win, being such spindly and delicate looking spiders.
Hydrated prey should provide more than adequate water. I don't think dead and dried prey is a good idea at all, though.
Good luck, and enjoy

Ohhh okay thank you! I hope I can convince my parents to let me get one!

 

[DaveM]

There are three main invertebrates by the name “Daddy long legs” there is cellar spiders, harvestmen (an arachnid, but not a spider) , and crane flies (a type of insect). They need to know so they can help you!

That's a great point. Thanks!
I doubt crane flies would be confused with a spider by anyone here, but harvestmen... ...I guess, maybe, in which case that's a different story, and new care instructions are needed.

 

[Dragonsongbird]

There are three main invertebrates by the name “Daddy long legs” there is cellar spiders, harvestmen (an arachnid, but not a spider) , and crane flies (a type of insect). They need to know so they can help you!

Oop- I honestly thought daddy long legs were 1 type of spider and just came in different colors (like gecko morphs or dog's colors) for years XD

 

[DaveM]

Oop- I honestly thought daddy long legs were 1 type of spider and just came in different colors (like gecko morphs or dog's colors) for years XD

OK, well Google 'pholcid' and 'harvestmen' and tell us which one you mean, please. Then we can advise you properly.

 

[Dragonsongbird]

OK, well Google 'pholcid' and 'harvestmen' and tell us which one you mean, please. Then we can advise you properly.

Alright I was talking about a harvestmen! Sorry!

 

[VaporRyder]

Myth: Daddy-longlegs would be deadly but...

"Daddy-longlegs" (meaningless term for any long-legged arthropod) do not have super-powerful venom, but no (or very weak) venom.

www.burkemuseum.org

 

[Nicole C G]

Alright I was talking about a harvestmen! Sorry!

Cool! I don’t know too much about them but they seem like cool pets. I’ve done some research and here’s what I’ve found: They live about a year. rotten squishy fruits like banana mixed with water are good for feeding, also the insides of feeder insects. They also need a shallow water dish to stay hydrated. Best Humidity and temperature is whatever it is outside when you capture them. I think that’s the basic care!

Also keep in mind that they are not spiders, so no web. I also recommend that the top of the enclosure is transparent so you can see it when it’s near the top, if it is the kind that likes walls. They also like sand and leaf litter in their enclosures to hide.

 

[Dragonsongbird]

Cool! I don’t know too much about them but they seem like cool pets. I’ve done some research and here’s what I’ve found: They live about a year. rotten squishy fruits like banana mixed with water are good for feeding, also the insides of feeder insects. They also need a shallow water dish to stay hydrated. Best Humidity and temperature is whatever it is outside when you capture them. I think that’s the basic care!

Well I know my mom won't let me keep rotting fruit in the house so I might have to think of something else!
I remember a few months ago I was outside at a gathering and me and some younger kids were making a huge pile of leaves to jump in (it actually hurts-) and I found a harvestmen crawling in the pile. I rescued it and held it for a few minutes and the other kids were all grossed out, but it was cool and kinda tickled. I guess that helped me warm up to them.

Also keep in mind that they are not spiders, so no web. I also recommend that the top of the enclosure is transparent so you can see it when it’s near the top, if it is the kind that likes walls. They also like sand and leaf litter in their enclosures to hide.

I've got a mesh lid since it used to be a terrarium.

 

[VaporRyder]

Have you considered jumpers?

 

[DaveM]

Here are some posts for you to read. Around here people like to use some scientific names where possible, so harvestmen = Opiliones.

Harvestmen aka daddy long-legs aka Opiliones - care and breeding questions

Hello all, I am new to the forums, and am hoping there are some folks here who have experience keeping and breeding harvestmen. I have, on several occasions, tried to keep several species found in my area (central NY), but with no success. All specimens eventually died. I would like to get...

arachnoboards.com

Backyard harvestman care

So, I found some interesting harvestmen in a family member's yard. They're pretty run-of-the-mill for around here, but I can't find them nearly as often at home, so I'd like to take this opportunity to get a setup going. However, I can't seem to find care information on the sort of harvestmen I...

arachnoboards.com

Harvestmen

Hey! Does anyone know how to keep a harvestman (also known as a daddy long legs) in captivity? What it eats, tank set-up, etc. Also post any interesting experiences you've had with harvestman. Thanks!

arachnoboards.com

Now you can use dead insects along with vegetable matter as food.
Have fun!

Have you considered jumpers?

That's a great idea also. Jumping spiders are CUTE!

 

[Nicole C G]

Cool! I don’t know too much about them but they seem like cool pets. I’ve done some research and here’s what I’ve found: They live about a year. rotten squishy fruits like banana mixed with water are good for feeding, also the insides of feeder insects. They also need a shallow water dish to stay hydrated. Best Humidity and temperature is whatever it is outside when you capture them. I think that’s the basic care!

That's a great idea also. Jumping spiders are CUTE!

Jumping spiders are soooper cute. I have one actually. They make good pets, are easy to care for, and super curious and adventurous. But no pressure!
Here is a jumping spider I saw in my backyard:

 

[Dragonsongbird]

Have you considered jumpers?

Yes (we have tons of those in my back yard) but I'm not sure my mom would go for a more uh.. spidery looking spider? She doesn't flinch whenever she sees me with a daddy long legs though.

 

[VaporRyder]

Yes (we have tons of those in my back yard) but I'm not sure my mom would go for a more uh.. spidery looking spider? She doesn't flinch whenever she sees me with a daddy long legs though.

Ahh! I see! They so pretty doe!

 

[Nicole C G]

Yes (we have tons of those in my back yard) but I'm not sure my mom would go for a more uh.. spidery looking spider? She doesn't flinch whenever she sees me with a daddy long legs though.

Jumping spiders are very small, so maybe she won’t mind because it’s not too big. They also don’t bite unless threatened.

Also, I’m sure there is some non-rotten foods you could feed a harvestmen if you’re still wanting one

 

[Dragonsongbird]

Jumping spiders are very small, so maybe she won’t mind because it’s not too big. They also don’t bite unless threatened.

Also, I’m sure there is some non-rotten foods you could feed a harvestmen if you’re still wanting one

I'll have to check with my parents first. I'm also wanting some fish and my parents might make me pick one or the other XC

 

[Nicole C G]

I'll have to check with my parents first. I'm also wanting some fish and my parents might make me pick one or the other XC

We will be here if you need us.

 

[DaveM]

I'll have to check with my parents first. I'm also wanting some fish and my parents might make me pick one or the other XC

Pick spiders!
Eat fish for dinner. Keep spiders as pets.
Good plan? Yes? Then it's a deal