Daddy Longlegs Seem to Hunt Frogs in South America, Revealing the Gangly Arachnids as Overlooked Predators
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fdd%2F61%2Fdd61a4d9-a25f-47c1-83a6-cf1778e43ea6%2Fuse_this_one.jpeg&w=1024)
A recent study has revealed that daddy longlegs, or harvestmen, actively hunt frogs in South America, challenging previous assumptions about their dietary habits. This behavior, observed in a few documented cases, suggests a more complex predator-prey relationship than previously recognized. The findings highlight the need for further research into the ecological roles of these often-overlooked arachnids.
- ▪Harvestmen have been observed preying on live frogs, indicating they may actively hunt rather than just scavenge.
- ▪This behavior has been documented in only ten cases globally, all occurring in South America.
- ▪Harvestmen are distinct from spiders and are more closely related to mites and ticks, lacking venomous fangs and silk glands.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Daddy Longlegs Seem to Hunt Frogs in South America, Revealing the Gangly Arachnids as Overlooked Predators A new study suggests that harvestmen actively attack the slippery amphibians, rather than just scavenging them. The findings hint that the spineless creatures have a more complex relationship with vertebrates than previously thought Sarah Kuta | Daily Correspondent May 27, 2026 9:00 a.m. ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source In February 2020, naturalist guides Lizardo Proaño and Juan Carlos Narváez photographed a harvestman eating a live frog during a night hike at Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Smithsonian Magazine.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Smithsonian Magazine
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F21%2F3e%2F213e6ee0-ae4b-403e-a75e-516653c10772%2Fgettyimages-139289970.jpg&w=320)
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F88%2F59%2F885977a1-c31a-42e2-8ac9-c39bebe9ded5%2Ferdos4.jpg&w=320)
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F27%2Faa%2F27aa2593-9660-43a6-844d-52af3a7fd996%2Fc69a7443_1.jpg&w=320)
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F3f%2F59%2F3f59f4a3-baa6-4e76-8ec1-d1f67bed20b5%2Felisenda.jpg&w=320)
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F21%2Fe0%2F21e01f01-f286-4f57-bc46-5d031b7f727f%2Fenterprise12.jpg&w=320)
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Ff9%2Fa4%2Ff9a4af17-b326-4f00-8d64-92966468f938%2F705306451_1423631536459186_5155291432592042996_n.jpg&w=320)