Why Do Spiders Kill Their Mates?
WouterMale spiders are usually more developed and pickier about sex. They want to mate with females with high reproductive potential. This increases the chances of passing on their genes.
However, there are times when spiders go the other way. Females may eat males to provide nutrition to their offspring. The practice is called sexual cannibalism.
Sexual cannibalism occurs in many different species of spiders. In some cases, it’s a form of mating, but in others it’s a pre-mating ritual.
The most famous example of cannibalism is the black widow. These spiders are notorious for eating their mates after sex. Most of the time they don’t engage in this behavior, but occasionally it happens.
Several studies have suggested that cannibalism may be part of the female’s sex ritual. Studies have also shown that cannibalism has complex evolutionary implications. For instance, some species eat males in order to protect their offspring from predators. Other species are motivated by pheromones.
It is a well-documented fact that females are more likely to produce eggs than males. Researchers have also found that a certain type of male spider sacrifices himself in order to maximize his chances of producing offspring.
Sexual cannibalism is an extreme example of the male-female relationship. While most species of spiders don’t engage in the practice, some are exceptionally extreme. Some male spiders fling themselves out of the female’s web after mating. Several species even perform an impressive catapult.
Female spiders typically only have a limited number of eggs. If they mate with a male who is a better father, the odds that their offspring will survive are higher.
