Do Spiders Release Babies When Killed?
WouterIf you are a spider fan, you’re probably wondering if spiders actually release babies when killed. There are many theories about this, but little research exists on the subject.
For most spiders, their main offspring care strategy is to provide extended maternal protection. This may include providing food and water to the offspring, constructing a protective egg sac or leaving the egg sac to hatch.
The most extreme example of parental care is matriphagy. Some species, like the funnel-web spider and African social velvet spiders, exhibit this tactic.
A female spider produces a ‘blanket’ made of silk which protects her eggs until they are ready to hatch. Some female spiders even carry their eggs in their mouths, or tie them together with several strands of silk.
While this seems like a pretty cool feature, it’s not actually true. In most cases, spiders do not release babies when killed. In fact, most mother spiders die before their eggs are fully hatched.
There are some exceptions. One of the most famous is the black widow spider. The spider lays hundreds of eggs in a circular egg sac. The babies climb onto the spider’s back until they are strong enough to survive on their own.
The other big spider trick is skin feeding. This method redirects nutrients from the mother’s body to the offspring. It also yields larger offspring.
Another spider trick is the catch-and-release method. A pest control agent will trap the spider in a glass jar, or a plastic lid from the pantry. When the spider dies, the agent can release the spider’s pheromones into the air to alert other spiders of danger.
