How Do Spiders Eat?
WouterThere are two basic ways in which spiders eat. First, they swallow prey that is transformed into a liquid. This is done using special enzymes. This ensures that the food is ready to be digested. In the other case, spiders use taste sensors in their legs. These are called pedipalps. These help the spider to recognize if a meal is good or bad.
Some species of spiders also use their teeth to crush and mash prey. They use this method of eating in order to capture larger prey. They can also use these teeth to create a web. Some of them prefer to eat at night while others like to eat during the day.
While some species of spiders may use their fangs to macerate their food, the most common way they eat is to swallow the prey. This process makes it easier for the spider to digest the food. It also provides the spider with moisture and nutrients.
A key part of the spider mouth is its labium. This structure helps the spider to transport, chew and move the food. The labium is a plate-like structure that covers the mandibles. The plate-like maxillae are situated on either side of the labium.
Besides the labium, the mouth of the spider is surrounded by chelicerae. The chelicerae are fang-like structures that serve as the attachment points for the venom glands. These are also used to tame and paralyze the target.
Another important part of the spider mouth is the hypopharynx. It is a globular structure located near the end of the mouth. It is often compared to the tongue of vertebrates. It acts as a floor of the mouth to help the spider move the food from the mouth to the stomach.
