Are All Spiders Carnivores?
When was the last time you watched a spider eat their prey? It is certainly not uncommon to find a spider web with freshly caught insects stuck. It often looks like there is not even a spider nearby, but their natural camouflage gives them the advantage. For many reasons, spiders are easily one of the best hunters, but Are All Spiders Carnivores?
One unique aspect of spiders is their diet and how they consume their prey. Everything about a spider is original and unique, unlike other living beings. If spiders were human-size, they would be more feared than loved. For many people, spiders are not too scary because of their size, but some worry about their venom.
A spider lives a crazy life, often alone, except for prey and predator encounters and the occasional reproduction visit.
Spiders Eat a Carnivorous Diet…Mostly
Spiders have a carnivorous diet consisting of other insects and, depending on the species, even animals. Many people consider spiders a form of pest control because they actively hunt other insects and live away from humans. However, some spiders may add variety to their diets by consuming other non-insect items.
It is not abnormal for spiders to help themselves with plants and byproducts such as honeydew, nectar, and pollen. Every spider species relies heavily on plant life for its food source since other insects are in these locations. Otherwise, spiders consistently eat a carnivore diet made up of other insects.
Fun Fact: A species of jumping spider, Bagheera Kiplingi, is one of the few, and possibly, only vegetarian spiders!
What Outrageous Things Do Spiders Eat
Most spider species stick to trapping and hunting insects for their food source; however, there are always exceptions to the rules. Certain spider species will take on outrageous prey that no one would ever expect.
Birds: There are cases where spiders have wrapped up birds entangled in a spider web. Since most birds are more significant than spiders, it is uncommon, but it can happen. The spiders need the birds to be still enough to wrap them in silk and mummify them.
Snakes: It may seem odd for a spider to eat a snake, but this does occur. Black Widow spiders are one of the most common house spiders capable of eating snakes.
Lizards- Yes, instead of lizards hunting spiders, some spider species hunt after lizards!
How Spiders Catch Their Prey
Typically, everyone knows spiders catch their prey from the intricate webs they construct. Though every spider can produce silk, not every spider creates webs. There are two ways hunters catch their prey, depending on the species. These two ways are either through traditional webs or physically chasing down their prey.
Web Catchers
About half of the known spider species use webs to catch their prey. The spider species that use webs to catch their prey include Black Widows, Orb Weavers, Hobo Spiders, and Giant House Spiders.
Ground Chasers
Some spider species will choose not to rely on creating webs to catch prey because they can sprint at fast rates. Most of the prey these spiders go after are not quick enough to outrun. Non-Webspinners include Wolf Spiders, Jumping Spiders, Tarantulas, and Fishing Spiders.
The Liquid Spider Diet
Did you know that spiders do not eat their prey; instead, they drink them! Spiders cannot physically chew or eat, so they inject a digestive enzyme into their prey. This enzyme will liquefy the inside of their prey, and the spider will drink their prey. Their most recent prey may look completely normal after the spider consumes it, but it will feel hollow and empty.
How Often Do Spiders Eating?
Spiders do not need to eat daily but can eat up to four times a day. However, spiders can go several days, sometimes weeks, without eating, depending on the species. Spiders may get a lot of water from drinking their prey, but they still need to drink water regularly. The longer they go without eating, the more their water dependency grows.
Most Common Hunting Location
- Storage– If something, in particular, does not move for prolonged periods, the higher the chances for spiders to be present.
- Wood piles– Inside wood piles is typically a severe breeding ground for spiders. Spiders will create webs and live near the wood since there is often more significant prey potential attracted to the wood.
- Closets– Spiders prefer to live in quiet, dark solitude and are not social too often. These preferred details make closets an ideal location for spiders to live and hunt.
- Garages– The garage is one of the first places where pests usually make their first entrances into the home. There is constantly tons of pest activity in the garage, offering tons of prey for spiders to hunt and stay busy.
Common Spider Species
There are thousands of spider species worldwide, but some common household pests are:
Orb Weavers
An Orb Weaver typically has vibrant and unique abdomen patterns that help them stand out. Orb Weavers are outdoor-only spiders, often taking up residency in gardens and plants.
Giant House Spiders
A Giant House Spiders is one of the fastest spider species. This spider is also giant, growing over an inch and a half.
Hobo Spiders
Hobo Spiders are often confused with Giant House Spiders, the most significant difference being their size. Hobo Spiders create funnel-shaped webs and are quick on their feet, not short like the Giant House Spider.
Wondering Are All Spiders Carnivores Around Your Home?
Do not let spiders keep snacking away under your roof anymore! Finding quarterly pest control can help kick all the spiders out and live in a pest-free home. Prime Pest Solutions offers premiere spider control services that ensure you do not have to share your home anymore. Contact us if you have questions about spider activity around your home or to get a free estimate for service.
