Do Spiders Need to Drink Water?
WouterYou may think spiders don’t need to drink water. In reality, spiders are very clever. They can survive for months without food. They don’t have teeth, and they eat by liquifying their prey and drinking the fluids.
If you’re keeping spiders as pets, you’ll need to provide them with a suitable water dish. While you may not catch them drinking, you should regularly monitor the amount of water in their water dish.
Smaller spiders don’t require a lot of water. They can drink an occasional sip. But larger species can spend several hours in their water dish. The amount of water they require depends on their species and the conditions of their home.
Some spiders drink from their webs. Others, like the black widow, get most of their water from eating. Other species, such as the redback, get their water from their prey.
A few spiders, such as the sand cat, can stay hydrated without drinking water. Other animals, such as the koala, can also stay hydrated without drinking water. However, they must have a clean, fresh source of water.
Most spiders need water to survive. If they don’t have enough, they can become dehydrated and die. Signs of dehydration include being lethargic, undersized, and wrinkled. If your spider begins to look like this, it’s time to hydrate it.
To hydrate your spider, you’ll need a bottle cap filled with water. The container should be small, so it doesn’t overflow. You can place a bottle cap in the center of the bowl, or you can fill the bowl with pebbles or a sponge. If you do it this way, you’ll be able to watch the spider as it swallows the water.
