Why Does Spiders Lay Eggs?

The life cycle of a spider includes three parts. An adult, a nymph, and an egg. An egg sac is a woven silken bag containing the eggs. The sac may be round, flat, or tear drop shaped. The color, size, and texture of the sac can vary, but a majority of them are cream, brown, or white.

Some species produce several egg sacs while others have one. The number of egg sacs a spider produces can range from two to more than one thousand. Male spiders don’t help with the care of the eggs, but some species carry cocoons to protect the eggs from predators.

Some female spiders carry egg sacs in their jaws and spinnerets. Some have a specialized silk ‘blanket’ around their eggs. They also hang the sac in a web.

The sacs are often camouflaged with leaves and other debris. They are usually about the same size as the spider that produced them.

Spiders lay their eggs in the spring and fall. Some species produce several small sacs while others have a single large sac. Whether the eggs are white or brown depends on the spider.

Egg sacs can be as large as a golf ball. They are usually affixed to a surface or attached to the abdomen. They are primarily made of silk and can contain hundreds of eggs. Some species will re-lay the same eggs again after their first clutch of eggs hatches.

In the wild, spiders will lay their eggs in spring, summer, and autumn. Some species choose to lay their eggs inside buildings or in houses. They can enter homes through cracks in walls, window frames, or used furniture.

Continue reading:

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