Bone Cave harvestman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bone Cave harvestman |
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| Bone Cave Harvestman (freshly molted) from Gallifer Cave, Travis County, TX | |
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The Bone Cave Harvestman (scientific name: Texella reyesi) is a very rare type of arachnid. It's often called a "daddy longlegs" because of its long legs, but it's not a spider! This unique creature lives only in certain limestone caves in Travis and Williamson Counties in Texas, USA. It is an endangered species, which means it's at high risk of disappearing forever.
Scientists first described this harvestman as a new species in 1992. Before that, some thought it was the same as a closely related species called the Bee Creek cave harvestman (Texella reddelli).
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Meet the Bone Cave Harvestman
The Bone Cave Harvestman is a fascinating creature. It is quite small, usually between 1.4 and 2.7 millimeters long. That's about the size of a tiny ant!
What is a Harvestman?
Harvestmen are a group of arachnids, just like spiders, scorpions, and mites. However, they are different from spiders. For example, harvestmen do not spin webs, and their bodies look like one oval shape, unlike spiders which have two main body parts. They are also known for their very long, thin legs.
Life in a Dark Cave
This harvestman has some special features that help it live in dark caves.
- No Eyes: It doesn't have eyes because it lives in complete darkness where eyes wouldn't be useful.
- Pale Color: Its body is a pale orange color and lacks strong pigments. Animals that live in caves often lose their color.
- Long Legs: Its long legs help it move around the cave and feel its way in the dark.
These features are called adaptations. They help the harvestman survive as a troglobite, which is an animal that spends its entire life inside a cave.
The Bone Cave Harvestman eats small invertebrates, which are animals without backbones, like tiny insects or worms. It needs a very specific environment to survive. It is very sensitive to how much moisture is in the air, called humidity. It cannot live in dry places. During dry times, it searches for the wettest spots deep inside its cave home.
Where It Lives
This special animal is found in about 168 karst caves. These caves are part of a large network on the Edwards Plateau in Texas. Karst caves are formed when water dissolves soft rocks like limestone.
Why is it Endangered?
The Bone Cave Harvestman and other animals living in these unique cave systems are in danger. The biggest threat is the loss of their cave homes.
- Habitat Loss: As cities grow, land is used for buildings and roads. This often means caves are destroyed or covered up.
- Pollution: Caves can also become polluted by chemicals or trash from nearby human activities. This makes the cave unsafe for the harvestman and other cave creatures.
Because of these threats, the Bone Cave Harvestman is listed as a federally endangered species in the United States. This means it has special protection under the law to help it survive.
