If you’re curious about bats, you might know that around 70% of bat species are insect eaters. Some can eat hundreds of insects in an hour, and they can consume up to a third of their body weight in one night. Interestingly, while bats mainly eat insects, they can also eat spiders. But here’s a surprising twist: some spiders have been known to eat bats!
In the past, scientists thought spiders only consumed dead bats, but a paper in 2013 revealed that spiders actually hunt bats too. They recorded over 50 instances of bats being captured and eaten by spiders worldwide, except in Antarctica. This shows that the relationship between bats and spiders is more complex than we thought.
So, which spiders are capable of this? The paper highlights a few families, including golden silk orb-weavers, orb-weaver spiders, huntsman spiders, and tarantulas. A large number of bat-catching incidents involve orb-weaver spiders. These spiders are particularly adept at creating strong webs, making it easier for them to catch bats.
One standout in this category is the golden orb-weaver (genus Nephila). These spiders can produce incredibly strong silk. Genevieve Kerr from the University of the Sunshine Coast explained that their silk is tougher than many man-made materials. In areas where these spiders gather, their webs can cover several square meters, increasing their chances of catching a bat.
Interestingly, not all encounters result in a meal. Sometimes, bats get caught in the web but aren’t eaten. In some cases, they die from being stuck, and it’s unclear if they were actually hunted. Studies indicate that when a spider catches a bat, it may or may not feed on it.
A notable incident occurred in Indiana, where a fishing spider attempted to catch a bat pup but was startled away by observers. There’s even been a recent case in the UK where a false widow spider killed and ate a small bat pup.
Though it seems strange to think of spiders preying on such large creatures, some spiders do supplement their diets with vertebrates. Various larger spiders have been known to catch fish and frogs, suggesting that they can target bigger meals when the opportunity arises.
The connection between bats and spiders is not just fascinating but also highlights the complexity of predator-prey dynamics. As more research emerges, we may uncover even deeper insights into these two diverse groups of animals.
For those interested in deeper research, you can find more on bat predation by spiders in this 2013 PLOS One paper.
