How Spiders Work at Night
WouterIf you’re like many, you may have wondered how spiders work at night. These little guys aren’t known for their sleepy demeanor. They don’t have eyelids to help them relax, and a lot of their physiology has to do with conserving energy.
Spiders have a circadian rhythm, which makes them more active at certain times of the day. However, their sleep cycle is not well documented. That’s why scientists are working to understand how these spiders rest.
Although it’s not uncommon for spiders to lie on a bed during the day, they don’t actually do a lot of sleeping. They may be in a web, or they might be waiting for food to flutter by.
While spiders don’t have the same sleep cycles as humans, they do have their own, and it’s important to keep a close eye on them. They’re not very active during the day, and when they’re at their most sedentary, they are more susceptible to predators.
Some species of spiders have a special “sleep” mode, where they are deprived of oxygen. Some larger spiders are even known to dig a burrow for sleep. The Australian redback spider has been known to go six months without eating, if it could.
Most of the time, they’re just trying to stay warm. They might have been attracted to your bed by crumbs. Aside from keeping a clean mattress, you can keep them out of your bedroom by placing a barrier around it.
