Certain male species of spiders such as the Australian Redback spider, sacrifice their body to the female to ensure nourishment for the coming offspring.
Spiders get a bad rap when it comes to love and what’s on the menu for lunch. They’re actually somewhat fussy, and of necessity, specific in their diet, due to their mobility, habitat, and environmental factors.
Contrary to popular belief, not all spiders invite you into their web. Some species jump out of hiding, and others, believe it or not, actually run their prey to earth. As a rule though, spiders kill their dinner by injecting venom that has varying properties such as immobilization, neurotoxins, and others. Only one species does not possess venom, but the vast majority of spider venoms are not fatal to Man. Just their dinner.
Once dead, victims are consumed through the chelicerae, a pair of two-sectioned appendages, part of which are hollow fangs. With no mouth, most prey is consumed in liquid form, either from natural decomposition, or a process that is hurried along by a special venom injected into the victim that liquefies their internal organs.
Which is how the females sometimes consume their mates. The tale about females always killing their mates is yet another half myth. While some species do attack and even consume the male after mating, it is not that common, despite the Black Widow having gotten her name from this form of arachnid divorce. In those species that do kill and eat their mate, notably the Australian Redback spider, it’s thought there is a biological reason behind the action, which is to nourish the female, and consequently the coming offspring.”
