What do spiders eat other than insects? Well, the short answer is: Nectar, Seeds, Pollen, Dead arthropods and other arachnids. But what about the rest? We’ll look at all of those in more detail in this article. And, don’t forget to check out our video on spiders! It’s packed full of facts about these fascinating creatures.
Contents
Nectar
Some scientists believe that spiders do not actually eat insects but eat the juices and solid parts of their prey. However, this view is not entirely true, as all spider species digest the solid parts of their prey. Spiders start this process outside of the body and consume the prey by ingestion. Spiders also recycle proteins from their dead webs. Spiders also eat seeds and fungal spores. The latter can be lethal, as they contain spores that are toxic to spiders.
Seeds
While most spiders feed on insects, there are several species that eat seeds, nectar, honeydew, leaf material, and silk from their webs. Some species even feed on dead arthropods. Other types of spider prey include centipedes, fleas, and flies. While we would not recommend eating these types of foods, spiders do enjoy these foods.
Pollen
In order to survive, spiders need to eat plant material, and some species intentionally eat pollen. Some spiders, however, also eat insects that are plant-eating. When eating insects, they may also eat plant material, such as aphids. Small vertebrates and crustaceans can also be eaten by spiders. In some species, spiders even eat sausage and soy milk.
Dead arthropods
Spiders primarily feed on insects, but some species also eat honeydew, pollen, seeds, and leaf material. They also consume the silk from their webs. Spiders eat dead arthropods, too. Some species even feed on egg yolks, milk, bananas, and sausages. This is a sign of how varied spider diets can be.
Lizards
Insects aren’t the only things lizards and spiders eat. Several species of lizards are vegetarian or will eat certain insects, such as earthworms, but they also accept other types of animals. The best insect to feed a lizard is a cricket, which is typically 10 days old. You can also try feeding a lizard flour beetle larvae or a newly-hatched mantid. Don’t try to feed your lizard ants or aphids, as these species will reject them. Sow bugs are another food source for lizards. Sow bugs are easily raised and available year-round.
Fish
If you’re wondering what spiders eat, you’ve come to the right place! While you might think a spider’s diet is limited to insects, they actually eat a variety of other animals, including fish. A water spider, for example, spends most of its time sitting near the surface of a body of water. It uses its long front legs to track its prey, which it then catches with its powerful front legs. It’s no surprise that fish are a favorite food source of this spider, which is found on every continent except Antarctica.
House flies
Many people believe that spiders eat insects, but this is not necessarily true. They will not just ignore the fly if they are trapped in a web, and they will take the opportunity to feed. Spiders do not need much energy to survive, but if there are insects present, they will eat frequently. In fact, they can eat up to four times a day. Besides absorbing moisture from the food they eat, spiders need water to keep themselves healthy and well fed. As such, they usually hang out near water sources, where they can attract prey.
Larger spiders
If you’ve ever wondered why big spiders eat other than insects, you’re not alone. There are many species of spiders that are not only vegetarian but omnivorous. For example, the Goliath bird-eating spider eats worms and larger insects. It also feeds on frogs, toads, and snakes. Interestingly, male spiders will sometimes eat their own females after mating, and females will often offer the male prey to consume.
Vegetables
While many types of spiders eat insects and other types of prey, spiders have different tastes. They consume leaf tissue, pollen, and nectar, and can even liquefy their prey. Spiders have no teeth or other teeth-like organs, so they cannot eat fruit. The only way they can eat fruit is to drink nectar from plants, which is more of a supplement than a primary source of food.
Fruits
Despite the popular belief that spiders do not eat fruit, it is true that they do occasionally consume fruit, but not as their primary source of food. While some spider species enjoy the nectar of certain fruits, most stick to carnivorous diets. A few species, such as the jumping spider, however, can tolerate eating fruit in moderation. Spiders can also digest meat without difficulty, as they coat prey in enzymes.
