No Spiders Drink Blood
WouterSeveral species of spiders feed on blood-sucking insects. Some of these are orb weavers. These spiders eat the wings, body and inner organs of their prey.
However, no other spiders drink human blood. They rely on other types of food to survive.
A spider’s digestive system consists of special stomach enzymes. This helps spiders break down their prey into a more digestible liquid. Spiders also have mouthparts called chelicerae. The chelicerae are located below the eyes.
There is a common belief that spiders eat human blood. But this is not true. In fact, there are several species of spiders that do not feed on blood. And even spiders that do eat blood-sucking insects, do it indirectly.
For example, a spider that eats blood-fed female mosquitoes might be more successful at mating. Depending on the species, spiders may even produce eggs that are higher in quality.
Even though spiders don’t directly eat human blood, they do use it as an aphrodisiac. That’s because spiders in the tropics rely on human blood for nutrition.
As such, some of these spiders are able to survive for months without water. Others, like the tarantula, can live for two years with only one meal. Other arachnids, like the tick, are able to suck blood from other creatures.
A few species of spiders have a special defense against cannibalism. Male spiders have stubby appendages known as pedipalps. They help grind and hold their prey, but these are not designed for direct hemitophagy.
