Spiders That Eat Fish Found Worldwide
- 10 years ago
A recent study by researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland and the University of Western Australia observed at least 18 spider species in different parts of the world that catch and eat fish. Some spiders can swim, dive, or walk on the surface of the water, and most of the ones that eat fish live on the edge of shallow freshwater ponds, swamps, or streams.
Spiders are remarkable creatures in many ways.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland and the University of Western Australia observed at least 18 spider species in different parts of the world that catch and eat fish.
Some spiders can swim, dive, or walk on the surface of the water, and most of the ones that eat fish live on the edge of shallow freshwater ponds, swamps, or streams.
They can kill fish that are larger than them using powerful neurotoxins, and eat them using special enzymes for digestion.
The researchers say that they saw several species of spiders on every continent except Antarctica eating freshwater fish that ranged from less than one to two inches long.
Most of the fish eating spiders were found in the wetlands of Florida.
Martin Nyffeler, from the University of Basel who worked on the study has been quoted saying: “The finding of such a large diversity of spiders engaging in fish predation is novel. The spiders have evolved very potent neurotoxins for killing fish within seconds to minutes. They are well-adapted for a life near and in the water.”
Other small vertebrate animals that spiders eat include lizards, snakes, mice, rats, birds, frogs, toads and salamanders.
Spiders are remarkable creatures in many ways.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland and the University of Western Australia observed at least 18 spider species in different parts of the world that catch and eat fish.
Some spiders can swim, dive, or walk on the surface of the water, and most of the ones that eat fish live on the edge of shallow freshwater ponds, swamps, or streams.
They can kill fish that are larger than them using powerful neurotoxins, and eat them using special enzymes for digestion.
The researchers say that they saw several species of spiders on every continent except Antarctica eating freshwater fish that ranged from less than one to two inches long.
Most of the fish eating spiders were found in the wetlands of Florida.
Martin Nyffeler, from the University of Basel who worked on the study has been quoted saying: “The finding of such a large diversity of spiders engaging in fish predation is novel. The spiders have evolved very potent neurotoxins for killing fish within seconds to minutes. They are well-adapted for a life near and in the water.”
Other small vertebrate animals that spiders eat include lizards, snakes, mice, rats, birds, frogs, toads and salamanders.