Do Wolf Spiders Eat Black Widows? Wolf spiders eat a wide variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, and even other spiders. But what about black widow spiders? Would a wolf spider attack and eat one?
Well, to answer this question we first need to take a closer look at the background of both spiders to see if a wolf spider could take down a black widow.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) are one of the most common types of spiders and can easily be identified by their size and body patterns. They are also very unique when it comes to their hunting habits, which involves, hunting and stalking their prey.
Wolf spiders vary in size, however, some can grow up to 2.5 cm (1 in) and are typically dark brown or black, with distinctive markings on their abdomen.
Most wolf spider species prefer to live in dark burrows, areas where they can hide and easily pounce on their prey.
While wolf spiders can be found worldwide, they are most common in warm climates. They are generally not considered dangerous to humans, but, too small insects and other spiders, they can be deadly.
Black Widows
Black widows (Latrodectus) are easily identified due to their shiny black bodies and unique red hourglass-shaped markings located on their abdomen. These spiders are very small and only grow up to 1.5 inches (38 millimeters) in size.
However, although Black widows are much smaller than wolf spiders they are also much faster and more agile.
This makes them difficult prey for even the most skilled hunters like wolf spiders. They are also one of the most venomous spiders and can easily kill another spider with its bite.
If the black widow was to bite a wolf spider then it is possible the black widow would kill it. “But” whether or not the black window would eat the spider would really depend on their food situation. If the spider is starving and hasn’t eaten for a while then it’s highly likely.
Related Article:
Which One Is Stronger?
While both of these spiders are predators, there is a big difference in their size. The average wolf spider is almost three times the size of a black widow! This size difference gives the wolf spider a big advantage if these two spiders were to fight.
But, size isn’t everything. As before, Black widows are also very fast and agile spiders and also deliver a venomous bite, which could kill a wolf spider.
Black Widows also make webs, which they use to trap their prey wolf spiders do not! So if the wolf spider was to get tangled in its web this would give the black widow the perfect opportunity to strike.
With that said, wolf spiders still have a few tricks up their sleeve too. For one, they are very good hunters and will stalk their prey before attacking.
Once they see a black widow the wolf spider will pounce on it giving the spider very little chance to escape.
Wolf spiders are also known to be very aggressive and will fight other spiders to death if they feel threatened. So, if a black widow did try to attack a wolf spider, it would probably find itself in for a big surprise!
While the wolf spider dominates in size the black widow makes up for its speed and agility. In the end, it would be hard to say who would win in a fight between these two spiders!
So, Do Wolf Spiders Eat Black Widows?
Like the black widow, if the wolf spider was starving then it would definitely eat the black widow. However, They don’t actively hunt black widows and if they kill one it would most likely be in self-defense rather than for food.
Although there have been reports of wolf spiders eating other spiders they would only do this if there was a shortage of food.
Related Articles:
Can Wolf Spiders Be Sick From Eating Black Widows?
When a black widow spider dies, “or any spider for that matter” its venom is no longer active. This means the wolf spider can eat it without causing any issues.
Although the black widow won’t provide much nourishment for the wolf spider it can different survive until the spider finds a nice juicy grub or grasshopper to feast on.
Will Wolf Spiders Eat Their Own Kind?
Will wolf spiders Eat other wolf spiders? Yes, most likely. In fact, it’s quite common for spiders to eat other spiders from time to time. Usually, it’s the larger spiders who will eat the smaller ones, but in some cases, it can be the other way around.
There are many reasons why a spider might eat another spider. It could be that the spider is simply hungry and sees the other spider as food.
Alternatively, it might be trying to eliminate the spider for resources. It’s also possible that the spider is simply acting on instinct, according to its natural predatory instincts.
Conclusion
So, can wolf spiders eat black widows? While it is possible, it’s unlikely. The size difference and hunting abilities of the wolf spider give it an advantage, but the speed of the black widow makes it difficult to catch.
Related Articles:
