Daddy longlegs are long-legged arachnids that live in damp, shady places like forests, gardens, and under logs. They’re small, slow, and commonly seen in areas where salamanders live and hunt. If you’ve ever seen the two in the same area, you might wonder: do salamanders eat daddy longlegs?
Yes, salamanders do eat daddy longlegs when they come across them. Daddy longlegs are soft-bodied, slow-moving, and easy to swallow, making them a natural part of many salamanders’ diets.
Daddy Longlegs Are Not Spiders
Although they’re often mistaken for spiders, daddy longlegs are not true spiders. While they have eight legs and live on land, they belong to a separate group of arachnids called harvestmen.
These creatures have a small, oval-shaped body with no distinct separation between the head and abdomen.
Their legs are extremely long and thin, which helps them move quickly across the ground and sense their environment.
Unlike spiders, daddy longlegs do not spin webs, produce venom, or have fangs. They do not bite and are harmless to both people and animals.
They scavenge dead insects, feed on plant material, and sometimes catch small prey. They are most active at night and prefer moist environments, similar to the conditions salamanders like.
Why Salamanders Eat Daddy Longlegs
Salamanders are opportunistic hunters that feed on anything they can catch and swallow. Their diet depends on what is available in their habitat.
Daddy longlegs are excellent prey for several reasons:
- They are small and slow, so salamanders can easily catch them.
- They are soft-bodied and easy to chew and digest.
- They live in the same moist habitats as salamanders.
- They provide water and nutrients like protein.
Since salamanders hunt based on movement and smell, the slow, twitchy walk of a daddy longlegs makes it an easy target.
Although salamanders may not search specifically for daddy longlegs, they will almost always eat one if it crosses their path.
How Salamanders Catch and Eat Them
Salamanders rely on stealth and sudden movement to catch prey. They typically sit still and wait for something small to move nearby. When it does, they lunge forward with their mouths or flick out their sticky tongues.
Small salamanders may use their tongue to snatch up prey, while larger ones will simply lunge and swallow. Daddy longlegs are lightweight and easy to overpower, even for juvenile salamanders.
Salamanders swallow their prey whole, and daddy longlegs’ narrow bodies and long legs are easily managed.
Even if the daddy longlegs tries to escape, the salamander’s quick reflexes usually win. Most daddy longlegs can’t run fast or far enough to get away.
Are Daddy Longlegs Safe for Salamanders to Eat?
Yes, daddy longlegs are safe for salamanders to eat. Unlike some spiders, wasps, or beetles, they have no harmful chemicals or tough exoskeletons that could injure or poison a salamander.
They don’t sting or bite, and they don’t have any sharp parts that would be difficult to swallow.
Daddy longlegs do have a few simple defenses. They can detach their legs to escape predators and may release a mild odor from glands on their body. But neither of these defenses is enough to stop a hungry salamander.
Once a salamander grabs one, it is usually eaten quickly.
What Species of Salamanders Eat Them?
Both terrestrial and semi-aquatic salamanders may eat daddy longlegs if they are active above ground.
Common species like the spotted salamander, tiger salamander, and red-backed salamander are all known to eat insects and arachnids.
In the wild, these salamanders may find daddy longlegs under logs, in leaf litter, or crawling near moist rocks. These are the same areas salamanders search for food.
Larval salamanders and fully aquatic species are less likely to encounter daddy longlegs, since harvestmen do not live underwater.
Can You Feed Daddy Longlegs to Pet Salamanders?
If you find daddy longlegs in a clean, chemical-free outdoor area, you can feed them to your salamander as an occasional treat.
However, you should follow a few safety steps:
- Make sure the insect came from a pesticide-free environment.
- Rinse the daddy longlegs gently to remove any dirt or contaminants.
- Only feed ones that are small enough for your salamander to eat comfortably.
- Remove any uneaten parts after feeding.
Do not feed wild-caught insects regularly. Parasites, bacteria, or chemicals could be harmful in large amounts.
Use them as part of a varied diet, not the main food source. A healthy captive diet should still include crickets, earthworms, small roaches, and commercial feeders.
Do Daddy Longlegs Have Any Natural Defenses?
Daddy longlegs do not have venom, poison, or fangs. However, they can still try to escape or deter predators.
Their most common defense is leg detachment, a behavior known as autotomy. If a salamander grabs one of its legs, the daddy longlegs may drop the leg and try to escape while the predator is distracted.
This doesn’t always work, especially against salamanders that strike quickly.
Some species of daddy longlegs can also secrete a foul-smelling fluid from glands near their mouth or legs. This scent may confuse or repel some predators, but it is not toxic and doesn’t bother salamanders much.
Once a daddy longlegs is in a salamander’s mouth, it typically won’t escape.
What Other Arachnids Do Salamanders Eat?
In addition to daddy longlegs, salamanders may also eat small spiders, mites, or even young ticks.
Most of these are similar in size and movement to insects, and salamanders do not usually differentiate between them.
However, not all arachnids are safe. Some spiders, like orb-weavers or jumping spiders, may have strong venom or bites that could harm a small salamander. Large, hard-bodied arachnids like scorpions are not suitable.
As a general rule, only soft-bodied, slow-moving arachnids like daddy longlegs are safe for salamanders.
Are Daddy Longlegs Nutritious?
Yes, daddy longlegs offer basic nutritional benefits. Like most small invertebrates, they provide:
- Moisture to help with hydration
- Protein to support muscle growth
- Trace minerals and fats for energy
While they may not be as calorie-dense as mealworms or roaches, they are a decent supplemental food.
Their small size also makes them ideal for juvenile or small salamanders.
Still, they should not be the only thing your salamander eats. Salamanders do best with a rotating diet of worms, bugs, and larvae to meet all their dietary needs.
What If My Salamander Won’t Eat It?
Some salamanders prefer wiggly prey or food that smells strongly. If your salamander ignores a daddy longlegs, try offering it with feeding tongs or letting it walk slowly across the enclosure.
Some salamanders will only eat live prey that moves in a certain way. If the daddy longlegs is still, it may not trigger a feeding response.
Also, make sure the prey is not too large. A daddy longlegs that is wider than the salamander’s head may be ignored or rejected.
If your salamander still won’t eat it, remove it and try something more familiar, like a cricket or earthworm.
Conclusion
Salamanders do eat daddy longlegs. These long-legged arachnids are soft, slow, and easy to catch, making them suitable prey for many terrestrial salamander species.
Daddy longlegs are harmless and non-toxic. They can be safely eaten in the wild and are occasionally acceptable as feeder prey in captivity, as long as they are collected from clean, pesticide-free environments.
While they are not as protein-rich as some other feeders, they still offer moisture and nutrition and are easily digested.
If you want to give your pet salamander a natural treat, a well-washed daddy longlegs can be a fine addition to its diet, but only as part of a healthy, varied menu.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.