MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: Do spiders eat their webs and if so, why?

Date: Fri Sep 1 04:39:37 2000
Posted By: Rob Cruickshank, Post-doc/Fellow, Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Glasgow
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 967578340.Zo
Message:

Hi Brittany,

Spiders have a rather unusual way of eating. They are strictly carnivorous but can only ingest liquid foods. After subduing its prey a spider injects digestive juices from its intestinal tract into the victim. These juices contain enzymes which liquify the internal tissues of the prey. After allowing a few seconds for the enzymes to work the spider sucks up a drop of predigested liquid prey. This process is repeated over and over again until the victim has been sucked dry! Because of this unusual mode of ingestion, a spider is unable to eat its own web. If it attempted to do so the web would fall apart. When a spider has no more use for a web it is simply abandoned and eventually it is either eaten by insects, or just disintegrates.

You can find out a lot more about the fascinating world of spiders by visiting the Octopodal World of Spiders website.

Have fun!

Rob Cruickshank


Current Queue | Current Queue for Zoology | Zoology archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Zoology.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-2000. All rights reserved.