How Cold Can Spiders Live?
WouterSpiders are cold-blooded animals and are susceptible to freezing to death. However, some species of arachnids have evolved to survive in extreme temperatures. They produce antifreeze chemicals in their blood that prevent ice from collecting in their cells. These compounds are called cryoprotectants and are used by some spiders to maintain their temperature.
Some species, including the North American Black and Yellow Garden Spider, have adapted their bodies so they can live in very cold temperatures. They often store their eggs in a secure location so that they are protected from freezing.
In addition, some species of spiders produce glycol compounds that help their tissues stay unfrozen in below-freezing conditions. These compounds act like the antifreeze found in car engines.
They can also take advantage of geothermal heat to keep their body temperatures at the same level as their surroundings. This is why you might see some spiders in the Arctic tundra, a part of the world that includes Greenland, Alaska and parts of Canada. The cold climate of the tundra is hard on these creatures. They need to consume less food to survive.
Some spiders enter a dormant state during the winter months. These are called argiopes and only last for one season. These spiders avoid desiccation by hiding under leaves or litter. Others build web sacs on siding, roofing or high corners of buildings. These web sacs are made of a thin silk casing that protects the spider from the cold.
