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What Do Spiders Eat? 7 Common Foods

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Spiders are arthropods with eight legs, chelicerae that inject venom, and fangs. They are the most numerous order of arachnids, with a total species diversity ranking seventh among all other animal taxa. Spiders are found on every continent. They have become established in nearly every habitat except air and sea settlement, from your attic to your backyard pond. So, what do spiders eat?

Spiders mostly range from 2 to 20 mm (0.079 to 0.787 in), but some tropical species exceed 250 mm (9.8 in) in leg span. The largest living spider, by leg span, is the goliath bird-eater tarantula of South America, with a leg! The angle of up 30 cm (12 in). The heaviest spider, considered by the Guinness World Records to be the Brazilian wandering spider, can weigh up to 175 g (6.2 oz).

In certain parts of the world, spiders are revered as good and kind and considered fortunate symbols. In others, they are viewed as dangerous pests or even deadly predators. So it all depends on your perspective!

What Do Spiders Eat?

Most people think that spiders eat insects, but the truth is that spiders are quite versatile in their diets. While some spiders specialize in eating insects, others will happily eat just about anything they can catch, including small mammals and reptiles.

There are even some species of spiders that are known to be cannibalistic, preying on other spiders. So, next time you see a spider in your home, don’t be too quick to judge what it’s been eating. Chances are, it’s had a more varied diet than you might think. Here are foods that spiders have been known to eat:

1.Insects:

Spiders are known for their voracious appetites and certainly live up to their reputation when it comes to eating insects. A single spider can consume tens or hundreds of insects in a single day. This is especially impressive considering that many spiders are no larger than a dime. Spiders typically eat whatever insects they can catch, and they are not particular about what kind of insect it is. This means that spiders play an important role in keeping insect populations in check. Some estimates suggest that spiders consume more insects than all the birds and bats combined.

what do spiders eat
A spider makes its web to capture insects.

2.Mice:

A single spider can eat up to 3,000 mice in its lifetime, making them a valuable asset in the fight against these pesky creatures. Spiders are also beneficial because they help to keep other pests in check. By eating insects and small rodents, spiders help reduce populations of these pests, which can harm humans and damage crops. In addition, spiders play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to recycle nutrients and break down dead matter.

3.Lizards

One type of animal that spiders commonly eat is lizards. Spiders will stalk their lizard prey and then move in for the kill, injecting them with venom that paralyzes them. Once the spider has its helpless victim, it will wrap it in webbing and devour it. Some spiders will even build their webs near areas where lizards live to ambush them more easily. While most spiders prefer to eat insects, lizards provide them with a larger meal that can help them survive for longer periods. As a result, spiders and lizards have an important role in each other’s lives – the spiders hunting and killing the lizards and the lizards providing food for the spiders.

4.Amphibians: 

Amphibians are an important part of the spider’s diet because they provide protein and essential nutrients. Spiders typically hunt amphibians at night when they are most active. Spiders will patiently wait for their prey to come close enough to strike. When they strike, they inject their victim with venom that paralyzes them. Spiders then wrap their prey in webbing and enjoy a meal at their leisure. While most spiders prefer to eat live amphibians, some will also feed on dead or dying amphibians. Spiders are not picky eaters and will take advantage of whatever food source is available.

5.Birds:

While it is not as common, spiders have been known to eat birds. Some spiders build their webs near bird feeders or trees where birds nest to take advantage of these easy meals. When a spider catches a bird, it will inject it with venom that paralyzes it. The spider will then wrap the bird in webbing and enjoy a meal of protein-rich bird meat. While most spiders only eat birds that are small in size, there have been reports of spiders preying on larger birds, such as chickens. Given the right opportunity, spiders will eat just about anything they can catch – even if it’s bigger than they are.

6.Fruit:

While spiders mostly stick to a diet of insects and other small animals, some have been known to eat fruit. This is especially true of tropical spiders with a greater variety of fruit. When a spider eats fruit, it typically only consumes the juices. The spider will puncture the fruit’s skin with its fangs and then suck out the juice. While fruit doesn’t provide spiders with many nutrients, it can help them survive when other food sources are scarce.

7.Other Spiders:

Spiders are not particular in their diet and eat just about anything they can catch, including other spiders. Studies have shown that around 20% of a spider’s diet consists of other spiders. While this may seem like a lot, it’s not surprising to consider how many insects worldwide exist for spiders to choose from. What is surprising, however, is how spiders can catch and eat other spiders without being eaten.

One theory is that spiders secrete a special enzyme that breaks down the exoskeleton of their prey, making it easier to digest. Another theory is that spiders use their powerful venom to kill their prey before eating them. Either way, spiders are not afraid to snack on one of their own.

How Does A Spider Hunt Their Prey?

Spiders are predators that hunt their prey. Most spiders are nocturnal hunters, actively searching for food at night. However, some spider species are diurnal, meaning they hunt during the day. How a spider hunts its prey depends on the species of spider. Some spiders build webs to capture their prey, while others chase down their prey and pounce on them. Some spiders will even lie in wait and ambush their prey.

what do spiders eat
A spider looking for it’s food.

How a spider hunts its prey also depends on the size of the spider. Smaller spiders generally build webs to capture small insects flying or crawling by, whereas larger spiders will actively chase down larger prey items such as birds or rodents. No matter their method, all spiders are skilled hunters who have evolved to be very successful at capturing and killing their prey.

What Predator Eats Spiders?

Spiders are eaten by various predators, including birds, lizards, frogs, Wasps, and opossums. Some spiders defend themselves with toxins or by biting their attackers, but many species rely on their speed and agility to escape being eaten. A spider’s life cycle begins when an egg hatches and a small spider emerges.

The spider will molt several times as it grows, shedding its exoskeleton and replacing it with a larger one. Once the spider reaches adulthood, it will build a web and wait for prey to become entangled. While most spiders live solitary lives, some species live in large colonies where they cooperate to build and maintain their webs. Regardless of their lifestyle, all spiders are at risk of being eaten by predators.

While spiders are typically eaten by animals that are small in size, there have been reports of spiders preying on larger birds, such as chickens. Given the right opportunity, spiders will eat just about anything they can catch – even if it’s bigger than they are.

Wrapping Up

Spiders are fascinating creatures that come in various shapes and sizes. They play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling populations of insects. And while they may not be everyone’s favorite animal, they are worth learning more about.

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