Can Spiders Lose Their Legs?
WouterAre spiders capable of losing their legs? Many creatures in nature eject appendages when attacked. Some even actively shed their limbs for survival.
However, spiders do not lose their legs in most cases. Instead, spiders re-grow lost legs. Some of the legs regrow smaller, while others grow back to their full size. The time it takes for the legs to regrow varies from species to species, but can be several months.
There are many reasons why a spider may lose its legs. One of the most common reasons is molting. During a molt, spiders naturally lower themselves on their silk line. If they eject their exoskeleton, it can get stuck in the exuding.
Another reason spiders lose their legs is during fights. If they are hit in the abdomen, their flexor muscles can’t contract to push the skeleton outward. This results in a loss of hydrostatic pressure in the skeleton. This can cause the leg to deflate or break.
Regeneration also allows for spiders to survive after being hit in the abdomen. If they eject their legs, the skeleton is filled with fluid like blood. The spiders’ heart rate increases to pump the hemolymph. They can still move around, but they won’t be as strong as they were before.
As with any regeneration, the process will take away resources from the spider’s survival. The new exoskeleton is much softer than the old. This is a disadvantage in a fight. It makes the spider more vulnerable to predation.
