How Spiders Survive in the Cold
WouterWhen the temperature gets too cold, spiders tend to slow down. They produce special antifreeze chemicals and go into a sleep state called diapause. While in diapause, they do not move, but they can still live on in temperatures as low as 23 degrees.
Spiders are very adaptable creatures. Some species die when the temperatures get too cold, while others remain active all winter long. The best way to keep a spider alive during the cold months is to provide them with adequate shelter. There are several ways to do that.
Many spiders use rock piles, leaves, and tree bark to find a home. Others create web sacs on siding, roofing, or high corners of buildings. Fishing spiders build insulated webs to protect themselves from freezing temperatures.
Other spiders live in burrows or hibernate under rocks or tree bark. Wolf spiders are part of the Lycosidae family and have been known to survive in small ice caves along stream banks.
Those species that do not overwinter, however, tend to have longer lifespans than those that do. For instance, some species of house spiders, such as the common house spider, may live for only a year or two before dying.
Most northern spiders have to overwinter. However, there are a few species that are considered freeze-tolerant, and they can withstand temperatures as low as 23 Degrees F. In addition, some species of spiders have cryoprotectants in their blood, which help them survive at below-freezing temperatures.
