Metagyndes innata facts for kids

Metagyndes innata is a fascinating creature known as a harvestman. It belongs to a group of animals called Arachnids, which also includes spiders and scorpions. This specific type of harvestman is part of the Gonyleptidae family. You can find Metagyndes innata living in the country of Chile, located in South America.

What is a Harvestman?

A harvestman is a small, eight-legged animal. Many people call them "daddy longlegs" because of their very long, thin legs. They are often found in gardens, forests, and other damp places.

Not a Spider!

Even though harvestmen have eight legs and are arachnids, they are not spiders. There are a few key differences:

• Harvestmen have a single, oval-shaped body section. Spiders have two main body parts joined together.
• Harvestmen do not spin webs to catch food.
• They do not have venom glands like most spiders.
• Harvestmen usually have two eyes, while most spiders have eight.

Where Does Metagyndes innata Live?

Metagyndes innata makes its home in Chile. This country has many different environments, from deserts to mountains and forests. Harvestmen usually prefer places that are a bit damp and cool, where they can find food and hide from predators.

What Does it Look Like?

Like other harvestmen, Metagyndes innata has a unique appearance. Its body is quite small, but its legs can be very long.

Body Shape

The body of a harvestman is usually round or oval. It looks like one solid piece, unlike a spider's body which has a clear "waist" in the middle. Their bodies are often dark, helping them blend in with their surroundings.

Long Legs

The most noticeable feature of a harvestman is its incredibly long, thin legs. These legs are very useful! They help the harvestman walk over uneven ground, climb plants, and even feel around for food or danger. If a harvestman feels threatened, it can sometimes drop a leg to escape, which is a bit like a lizard dropping its tail. The leg will not grow back.

Eyes and Senses

Most harvestmen have two eyes, usually located on a small bump on top of their body. While their eyesight might not be super sharp, their long legs are packed with sensors. These sensors help them feel vibrations, detect smells, and navigate their world in the dark.

How Do Harvestmen Live?

Harvestmen are mostly active at night, which means they are nocturnal. During the day, they often hide under rocks, logs, or leaves to stay safe and cool.

What Do They Eat?

Harvestmen are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet can include:

• Small insects, like aphids or mites.
• Dead insects or other small creatures.
• Fungi (like mushrooms).
• Plant matter.

They use their specialized mouthparts to grab and chew their food.

Staying Safe

To protect themselves, harvestmen have a few tricks. Besides their ability to drop a leg, some species can release a bad-smelling fluid to scare away predators. Their camouflage also helps them blend into their environment, making them harder to spot.

Life Cycle of a Harvestman

The life cycle of a harvestman begins with an egg.

From Egg to Adult

Female harvestmen lay their eggs in damp soil or under rocks. The eggs hatch into tiny harvestmen that look like smaller versions of the adults. They grow by shedding their outer skin, a process called molting, several times until they reach their full adult size. This entire process can take several months to a year, depending on the species and the environment.

See also

In Spanish: Metagyndes innata para niños