What Is The Difference Between Spiders And Opiliones?

We have all heard of spiders, but what are opiliones? First of all opiliones are better known as “harvestman.” Second of all there does not exist much difference between the two types since they are both arthropods and they are both members of the arachnida animal class. Despite all of their similarities, there are indeed many differences. For example, one prominent trait that makes spiders distinct from opiliones is the spider’s ability to produce venom, which they all do, while there does not exist any species of opiliones that possess glands that are capable of producing venom. All arachnids on earth, including opiliones, have fang-like mouths with two pedipalps and a chelicerae. However, the opiliones don’t possess actual fangs, and their jaw muscles are far too weak to break the skin of any human. The opiliones do not pose any danger at all to humans. One other notable difference involves the manner in which these two types of arachnids consume food. The spider, as you probably know, liquefies its food in order to suck it up through their hollow fangs. The opiliones, on the other hand, literally chew their food and swallow it, much like how we humans eat our food. So if someone asks you which type of arachnid you would rather have hiding in your bathroom, you will now know which to pick, I would go for the one that cannot bite. Since opiliones don’t have fangs like spiders do does that mean that spiders have an evolutionary advantage over opiliones?