The longevity of spiders varies significantly. How long a spider lives is not a single answer, but rather a fascinating spectrum influenced by many biological and environmental elements. This variability highlights their diverse adaptations.
The Broad Spectrum of Spider Lifespans
The lifespan of spiders spans a wide range, from just a few months to several decades, primarily reflecting the immense diversity among the more than 40,000 known spider species. While many common spiders complete their life cycle within a year or two, others, particularly larger species, can persist for extended periods. This variation means that a general “average” lifespan for all spiders is not truly representative.
Key Influences on Spider Longevity
Species and Environment
A spider’s species is a primary determinant of its lifespan, with different evolutionary paths leading to varied life expectancies. Environmental conditions also play a substantial role in how long a spider survives. Warmer climates often shorten lifespans by accelerating metabolism. Humidity and habitat stability also influence survival.
Food Availability
The consistent availability of food directly impacts a spider’s ability to grow, maintain its body, and reproduce. Spiders can endure periods without food, some for 30 to 60 days, especially larger species. However, consistent nourishment is important for long-term survival.
Predation
Predation is another significant factor, as many animals, including birds, reptiles, mammals, and even other arthropods, consume spiders or their eggs. Parasitic wasps, for instance, can lay eggs on or inside spiders, leading to their demise.
Gender
Gender also influences a spider’s lifespan. Female spiders generally live longer than males. Male spiders often have shorter lives, sometimes dying after mating, either due to the physical demands of reproduction or, in some species, becoming prey to the female. Females tend to remain near their burrows, while males may have higher metabolic rates and increased vulnerability to environmental changes and predators during their search for mates.
Spider Life Cycle Stages
Egg Stage
All spiders progress through a similar life cycle: egg, juvenile (or spiderling), and adult. Life begins as eggs, which are usually protected within a silk egg sac laid by the female. A single egg sac can contain hundreds or even thousands of eggs, and the time until hatching can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on environmental conditions.
Juvenile Stage
Upon hatching, spiderlings undergo several molts. This juvenile stage can last from weeks to over a year, during which they are vulnerable. Spiderlings often disperse from their hatching site, sometimes by “ballooning,” where they release silk threads to be carried by the wind.
Adulthood
The final stage is adulthood, when spiders are reproductively mature. While some male spiders die shortly after mating, females may continue to live for an extended period, laying multiple egg sacs throughout their adult lives.
Exceptional Spider Lifespans
While many common house spiders typically live for about one to two years, certain species exhibit remarkably long lifespans. Tarantulas are well-known for their longevity, with females often living between 10 and 30 years in captivity. Male tarantulas, in contrast, typically live for a shorter duration, averaging 3 to 4 years.
The longest-living spider recorded was a female trapdoor spider, known as Number 16, which lived to an estimated 43 years in an Australian reserve. Her death in 2016 was likely due to a parasitic spider wasp. Other long-lived species include some funnel weavers and wolf spiders, which can live for several years. On the shorter end of the spectrum, some orb-weaving spiders and jumping spiders complete their life cycles in just a few weeks to months.