Why Do Spiders Eat Their Mates?
WouterMost people are familiar with the Black Widow spider, but there are other species that eat their mates. One of these species is the redback spider. These spiders can cause headaches and dizziness. They also can cause nausea.
The most famous example of this is the female black widow. These spiders are notorious for cannibalism. They have been known to kill a male after sex.
The reason that some spiders eat their mates is unclear. Researchers have suggested complex, evolutionary reasons. They may be trying to maximize their chances of having a child, or they may be stressed. Some spiders also consume a mate for a protein boost.
Several studies have suggested that females eat their mates as a way to keep reproductive options open. They can then replace a male’s sperm with the sperm of a second male. This ensures that the young will have enough to eat.
Another theory is that females eat their mates to prevent them from mating with other females. It’s not clear how this works, but it seems like a male’s ability to avoid cannibalism is an advantage.
Depending on the type of species, some spiders will only eat their mates after mating. This is called reverse cannibalism. They are also known to eat a female’s sperm before they mate.
Some spiders cannibalize their mates to increase the size of their offspring. This can help the young spiders have more nutrients, but the male spiders are more choosy. They want to have the best chance at fertilizing their eggs.
