Most spiders eat other animals they can overpower, especially insects and other small arthropods.
Their meals depend on body size, species, and hunting style, so the answer to what do spiders eat can range from flies and moths to crickets, beetles, and even other spiders.
Spiders are arachnids, not insects, and they build their diets around liquid feeding on prey they can subdue.
Most of the time, spiders eat live or freshly killed animals, though a few species have unusual food choices.
What Spiders Commonly Prey On
Spiders eat a wide mix of prey, but insects make up most of their menu.
The exact foods depend on size and habitat, with web hunters and ground hunters often taking different targets.
Flying Insects Such As Flies, Moths, And Mosquitoes
Web-building spiders often catch flying insects that blunder into silk.
Flies, moths, and mosquitoes are common meals because they are small, frequent, and easy to trap.
A Science ABC guide on spider diets notes that these are some of the most common prey items for web hunters.
Ground Prey Like Crickets, Grasshoppers, And Beetles
Many spider species hunt on the ground or from hidden spots near plants and rocks.
Crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles are common targets because they move close enough for a fast strike.
Bigger hunters often rely on speed, ambush, or camouflage to catch them.
When Spiders Eat Other Spiders And Spiderlings
Some spiders eat other spiders when food is scarce or when a larger spider catches a smaller one.
A few species are strongly arachnid-eating, and spiderlings can also be eaten in harsh conditions.
This is a real survival strategy, not a rare accident.
How Hunting Style Shapes The Menu
A spider’s hunting style shapes what ends up on its plate.
Web users tend to catch whatever gets stuck in silk, while active hunters chase, pounce, or wait for prey to come close.
Web-Building Spiders And Trapped Insect Prey
Web-building spiders usually wait for insects to get trapped in their silk.
They often feed on small flying prey because those animals move through open air and are easy to snare.
Their webs act like a passive food trap.
Jumping Spiders, Wolf Spiders, And Active Hunting
A jumping spider uses sharp vision and quick leaps to grab prey.
Jumping spiders often chase tiny insects on plants and walls.
Wolf spiders roam the ground and hunt by speed.
Many active hunters catch crickets, beetles, and other moving prey.
These spiders do not need a web to eat well.
Fishing Spiders, Ambush Predators, And Larger Catches
Fishing spiders and other ambush predators wait for the right moment, then strike fast.
A huntsman spider can take larger prey than many people expect.
Some large species eat lizards, frogs, and even small birds, as noted by Science ABC.
Size and strength matter a lot when the target is bigger than an insect.
Unusual Diets, Drinking, And Feeding Frequency
Most spiders stick to animal prey, yet a few species break the pattern.
Water needs and feeding schedules also vary a lot, especially across tiny house spiders and large mygalomorph species.
Bagheera Kiplingi, Beltian Bodies, And Nectar
The spider Bagheera kiplingi is famous for eating plant material, especially Beltian bodies from ant-acacias.
It also takes some nectar, which makes it one of the most unusual spiders you can find.
Even so, plant eating is rare among spiders.
Do Spiders Drink Water Or Get Moisture From Prey
Spiders do drink water, though much of their moisture comes from prey body fluids.
Many spiders also lap up dew, raindrops, or thin water films on leaves and surfaces.
Science ABC notes that mygalomorph species can be especially sensitive to dry conditions.
How Often Spiders Eat And Why It Varies
How often spiders eat depends on prey supply, temperature, and the spider’s size.
Some spiders eat often when prey is nearby. After a big catch, they may go days or even weeks without another meal.
A spider living in a dry or cold place may eat less often than one in a warm area with plenty of insects.
