How Do Spiders Eat?
WouterSpiders are mainly carnivores, and eat insects and other invertebrates. Most spiders are opportunistic feeders, feeding on fresh or dead food. Nonetheless, some spider species take vertebrates and live animals in the wild. Some have special techniques for hunting.
For example, web spiders suck out predigested parts of their prey through a mouth orifice. Others wrap their prey in a thick layer of silk. This helps them keep the prey from escaping. Lastly, some species inject digestive enzymes into the prey. These enzymes break down the inside of the victim, and may kill it.
Another method used by spiders to eat is by spitting venom. Venom dissolves the insides of the victim, and prevents the muscle tissues from contracting. In addition, it disrupts the nerve-muscle transmission.
Spiders also rely on their senses to detect good and bad taste. Many have taste-sensitive hairs on their legs. They also use vibrations to find their prey. While some spiders are able to eat other animals and fruits, the primary source of nutrition for most spiders is liquid food.
Before consuming their prey, spiders liquefy it. Spiders suck the liquefied prey into their straw-like mouths. When they have enough time, they inject venom into the prey. As a result, the victim becomes sucked into their stomachs, where it gets broken down.
Spiders’ digestive system includes a foregut. The foregut is a tube-like mouth that allows spiders to swallow and suck up the prey. Spiders can also suck the digestive fluids out of the foregut and back into their stomachs.
