When we think of spiders, we often picture them catching flies or small insects in their webs. My home is also home to an army of spiders that do a great job of catching and eating all kinds of pests. But some spiders have much bigger appetites! I was astonished to learn that spiders eating snakes is more common than we thought. These eight-legged hunters can take down prey many times their size, including snakes.
1. Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
The Southern Black Widow is famous for its potent venom. These small but mighty spiders can take down snakes much larger than themselves. Their strong silk webs trap the snake, and the spider’s venom quickly immobilizes its prey. Black Widows then feast on their catch, sometimes for several days.
2. Goliath Bird-eating Spider (Theraphosa blondi)
The Goliath Bird-eating Spider is the largest tarantula in the world. Despite its name, it doesn’t just eat birds – small snakes are also on the menu. With powerful fangs and quick movements, this tarantula can overpower small snakes. They inject venom into their prey and then enjoy their meal at leisure.
3. Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti)
The Australian Redback spider is a close relative of the Black Widow. Like its cousin, it’s known for catching and eating snakes much larger than itself. Redbacks use their strong silk to wrap up their prey before delivering a venomous bite. They’ve been observed taking down snakes up to 20 times their size!
4. Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Nephila clavipes)
The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver creates enormous webs with incredibly strong silk. These webs are sturdy enough to catch small birds, bats, and snakes. Once a snake is trapped, the spider quickly wraps it in silk and bites it repeatedly. The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver’s large size allows it to tackle impressive prey.
5. Regal Jumping Spider (Phidippus regius)
The Regal Jumping Spider is one of the largest jumping spiders, and it’s not afraid to take on snakes. These agile spiders can leap many times their body length, allowing them to pounce on unsuspecting snakes. They bite quickly and repeatedly, injecting venom until the snake is paralyzed.
6. Brazilian Wolf Spider (Lycosa erythrognatha)
Brazilian Wolf spiders are active hunters that chase down their prey. They have excellent eyesight and can move quickly, allowing them to catch fast-moving snakes. Wolf spiders use their powerful legs to hold down their prey while delivering a venomous bite. They’ve been observed taking down snakes several times their size.
7. Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus)
The Sydney Funnel-web spider is one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Its powerful venom can quickly subdue a snake. These spiders create funnel-shaped webs with a wide opening that narrows into a retreat. When a snake enters their territory, the Funnel-Web spider rushes out to attack, injecting its potent venom.
8. Australian Huntsman Spider (Holconia insignis)
Huntsman spiders are large and fast, making them excellent snake hunters. Instead of using webs, they actively chase down their prey. With their speed and powerful venom, Huntsman spiders can overpower small snakes. They’re common in Australia, where encounters with snakes are frequent.
9. Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi)
The Wasp Spider is an orb-weaver known for its striking yellow and black coloration. While it primarily feeds on insects, it has been observed occasionally catching and eating small snakes. These spiders create strong, sticky webs that can trap small snakes. Once caught, the Wasp Spider quickly wraps its prey in silk and delivers a venomous bite.
10. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria fera)
The Brazilian Wandering Spider is known for its potent venom and aggressive behavior. These spiders don’t build webs but actively hunt their prey, including small snakes. With their large size and powerful venom, they can quickly subdue a snake. They’re considered one of the most dangerous spiders in the world.
11. Flatty Spider (Selenops radiatus)
The Flatty Spider, found in the Caribbean, is known for its incredible speed and agility. These spiders have been observed catching and eating small snakes. Their flattened body allows them to hide in tight spaces, ambushing their prey. When a snake comes too close, the Flatty Spider springs into action, quickly overpowering its victim.
12. Giant Crab Spider (Heteropoda venatoria)
Also known as the Huntsman Spider, the Giant Crab Spider is a large and fast arachnid. These spiders are skilled hunters, capable of catching small reptiles, including snakes. They use their speed and powerful legs to grab their prey, then deliver a venomous bite. Despite their intimidating size, they’re generally not aggressive towards humans.
