How do spiders hunt mice? - briefly
Some large mygalomorph spiders, such as tarantulas and the Goliath birdeater, capture mice by ambushing the rodent, immobilizing it with silk, and delivering neurotoxic venom. They then secrete digestive enzymes to liquefy the tissues and ingest the resulting fluid.
How do spiders hunt mice? - in detail
Spiders capable of tackling vertebrate prey are limited to a few large mygalomorph species, such as tarantulas, huntsman spiders, and certain funnel‑webs. Their hunting strategy combines sensory detection, rapid strike, venom injection, and external digestion.
- Detection – mechanoreceptive hairs on the legs sense vibrations on the ground or within a burrow. Some species also respond to chemical cues released by a struggling rodent.
- Approach – the spider adopts a low, crouched stance, positioning its fangs toward the target while keeping its body concealed behind a web retreat or burrow entrance.
- Strike – powerful leg muscles propel the spider forward, delivering a bite that introduces neurotoxic and proteolytic venom. The venom rapidly immobilizes the mouse, preventing escape.
- Immobilization – paralysis reduces muscular activity, allowing the spider to maintain control while it begins extracellular digestion.
- Feeding – digestive enzymes are secreted onto the prey’s body cavity, liquefying tissues. The spider sucks the resulting fluid, leaving behind indigestible components such as bones and fur.
Observations indicate that successful captures are rare. Factors limiting frequency include:
- Size disparity – even the largest spiders rarely exceed a body mass of 150 g, far below that of a typical house mouse (≈20 g). Handling a prey item approaching or exceeding the spider’s own weight increases the risk of injury.
- Energetic cost – the effort required to subdue a vertebrate often outweighs the nutritional benefit compared with abundant arthropod prey.
- Risk of retaliation – a struggling mouse can bite or scratch, potentially causing fatal wounds to the predator.
Documented cases involve tarantulas in tropical regions seizing mice that entered their burrows, and huntsman spiders ambushing rodents that traverse low vegetation. In each instance, the spider’s success depended on a combination of stealth, rapid envenomation, and the ability to digest the prey externally.