Tone Killick
Arachtober 1st
Araneus diadematus with partially digested prey.
Once a prey item has been subdued by the spiders venomous bite, digestion is initiated outside the body. The spider regurgitates digestive enzymes onto its prey which in turn starts to dissolve the body. When the prey is mostly liquefied, the spider uses its chelicerae to break down the tissue further before sucking up the nutritious soup. Feeding behaviour does differ between spider families. An example is the Thomisids, crab spiders which have none or maybe a few cheliceral teeth. In that case, they make a bite and the enzymes are regurgitated into the bite area and the insides of the prey are dissolved and sucked out, leaving a intact shell.
Arachtober 1st
Araneus diadematus with partially digested prey.
Once a prey item has been subdued by the spiders venomous bite, digestion is initiated outside the body. The spider regurgitates digestive enzymes onto its prey which in turn starts to dissolve the body. When the prey is mostly liquefied, the spider uses its chelicerae to break down the tissue further before sucking up the nutritious soup. Feeding behaviour does differ between spider families. An example is the Thomisids, crab spiders which have none or maybe a few cheliceral teeth. In that case, they make a bite and the enzymes are regurgitated into the bite area and the insides of the prey are dissolved and sucked out, leaving a intact shell.