What Do Spiders Eat?
WouterSpiders are the apex predators of the insect world. These opportunistic feeders feed on a variety of insects and plant matter, and are found in a number of habitats. They can be found in the wild, as well as in urban areas, deserts, and croplands. Some of them may bite, but most are harmless to humans.
Spiders can survive for weeks without food, but they eat at least four times a day. This allows them to keep up with their metabolic requirements. They suck up “juices” from their prey, and then slurp up the partially digested meat. The digestive process begins outside the spider, and then progresses to the hind gut, where more digestion takes place.
Although most spiders primarily eat bugs, some larger species also eat other animals. They may snack on lizards, snakes, and small mammals. These larger species can often be seen in the yard, and are helpful in keeping disease in check.
They are a good source of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. They also have the advantage of being able to re-use their own digestive enzymes. These re-use processes may help them survive when their primary food source is scarce.
They do not require as much water as human beings. They can get their water through the digestive process. They can even spit their digested fluid back and forth from their stomachs.
When they do need to eat, however, they will suck out their prey’s “juices.” They can vomit up their own digestive enzymes, too.
