How Long Do Spiders Live Without Food?
WouterThe answer to the question “how long do spiders live without food?” is a bit different than that of other animals. Unlike most other animals, spiders are cold blooded and have a slow metabolic rate. This low metabolism allows them to live for long periods of time without eating.
Typically, a typical spider can last for one to two months without food. However, larger species can survive longer, as they have more food reserves.
Spiders have a special diet, consisting of a variety of insects. These include grasshoppers, moths, flies, and mosquitoes. Some spiders also eat worms and small vertebrates.
Although their diets vary, the majority of spiders don’t eat dead, decaying food. They break down food in their bodies and drink liquefied meat or fluids. During the feeding process, spiders inject digestive enzymes into the prey.
In addition, some spiders have been known to store food or energy during periods of abundance. Often, this can allow them to last for several months without food and water.
As with other creatures, a spider’s ability to survive without food and water depends on its species. A smaller spider is likely to die in a matter of days, whereas an adult Daddy Longlegs or Jumping Spider can go for weeks or months.
There are some species of spiders, such as the wolf spider, which can go for up to a week or more without food or water. Others, such as the black widow, can live for a year or more.
