Kävelytikkejä

Kävelytikkejä, a Finnish term, translates directly to "walking ticks" or "walking sticks." It refers to a variety of arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida, order Opiliones. These creatures are often mistaken for true spiders, but they are a distinct group. Their most notable characteristic is their extremely long, slender legs, which give them their common name.

Opiliones are not venomous and do not possess silk glands like spiders. They are primarily scavengers or predators, feeding on small invertebrates, dead insects, and plant matter. Their long legs allow them to navigate complex environments and detect prey or predators through vibrations. Some species have a hardened exoskeleton, while others have a softer body.

These arachnids are found in diverse habitats worldwide, favoring damp and dark locations such as forests, caves, and under logs or stones. Their lifecycle typically involves eggs hatching into miniature versions of the adults, which then molt several times as they grow. Kävelytikkejä play a role in their ecosystems as decomposers and a food source for other animals. Their presence is generally considered harmless to humans.