Bee Creek Cave Harvestman © William R. Elliott

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Scientific Name:
Texella reddelli

Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:
Texas

The Bee Creek Cave harvestman is a small, slow-moving spider found in Kretschmarr Double Pit and Jester Estates Cave, north of the Colorado River on the Jollyville Plateau, and in three caves in the Rollingwood karst fauna region in Travis County, Texas. It is a small, orange spider with long legs and only reaches between .07 and .09 inches in length on average. Since this species is only found in dark caves, it has no use for its eyes and is blind.

Bee Creek Cave harvestmen are usually found under rocks found in limestone caves, sinkholes, and fractures. The caves must have a steady temperature, a high humidity, and plenty of small invertebrates for the species to prey on in order to survive. Little is known about the reproductive behavior of this species. Young spiders are white to yellowish white in color.

Threats to this species include loss or degradation of habitat due to residential and urban development and pollution. Conservation plans have been drawn up which involve the protection of all remaining habitat and the conducting of surveys to locate and protect additional populations.