January 21, 2011 | Finca La Isla, Limon Province, Costa Rica
Could this be the harvestman equivalent of an ostrich burying its head in the sand? Or maybe it was just trying to get at something to eat.
Hiding? Eating?
After a few shots as I found it, I prodded it into a better position.
Prodded into a better position
It has some interesting “combs” on a few of its rearmost legs.
Comb-like structures on rearmost legs
Dorsolateral view
It’s actually quite small, the body measuring only about 5mm front to back. The longest leg, however, was about 3cm long. I’m not sure what purpose those horns might serve.
Small body, 5mm long
4mm wide
"Comb" on the right
I have to admit I’m drawn to these strange creatures. I think in part it’s simply because they are so alien looking.
