When Does Spiders Eat?
WouterSpiders are opportunistic feeders and eat whatever they can find. They may be able to survive for weeks without food. However, a prolonged starvation can lead to death.
Most spiders eat arthropods, which have segmented bodies with jointed appendages attached in pairs. They use jaw-like structures to break down food. They then use salivary glands to produce venom, which they deliver through hollow pointy bits on the ends of their chelicerae.
Most spiders feed on insects, but they can also eat other species, such as ants. They can’t eat fruit or plants, but they can process some fats and sugars. Some fungi can kill spiders with spores. Some spiders also sequester waste materials on their exoskeletons.
There are more than 60 different species of spiders that have been found to eat vegetables. The researchers found evidence of this practice in ten taxonomic families. They reported their findings in the April issue of the Journal of Arachnology.
Some of the biggest orbweaving spiders eat medium sized insects. These insects are wrapped in silk to protect them. They then vomit digestive fluid over the prey. Some other spider species pounce on their prey with venom.
Spiders may also ingest nectar containing water or pollen from flowers. They also recycle proteins from old webs. These proteins are metabolized into carbohydrates. They will often build webs in warm areas, and will search for a warmer location to live in.
Spiders are highly resilient and do not need to drink as much water as humans. They get most of their water from the foods they eat. They may only need to eat three times a day, and can go up to 30 days without food.
