How Long Do Spiders Live Without Water?
WouterSpiders are carnivores and therefore need food to survive. They usually eat insects such as mosquitoes, moths, and crickets. Some spider species also eat worms and small vertebrates.
A common house spider can go without eating for 30 to 60 days. These spiders will drink from dew drops, condensation on window sills, and pet bowls. During that time, they may not feel full.
Many arachnids can also stay underwater for extended periods of time by adopting a coma-like state. Some species of tarantula can survive two years on just one meal. Another type of arachnid, the diving bell spider, lives in an underwater web. This type of spider only comes up to breathe once a day.
Adult Wolf spiders can live up to three weeks without food. They have a metabolism that slows down when food is scarce. However, they can still survive for up to three weeks without water. The American House Spider, on the other hand, can survive for eight weeks without food.
During this period, some spiders have a special reserve of food. Their chelicerae, or mouthparts, are full of muscles that help them digest food. When they eat, they will take up liquefied insides of their prey. After a few minutes, they will feel full.
While some spiders can live up to a year or even longer, the average lifespan is around four to eight weeks. In fact, the black widow spider can survive for almost a year without food.
