Do Geckos Eat Spiders? (Surprising Truth About Their Diet

If you’ve ever watched a gecko on the wall at night, you’ve probably seen it move close to a spider’s web. It stops. Waits. Then suddenly strikes. But does that mean geckos really eat spiders?

Yes, geckos eat spiders, and they hunt them often. Spiders are a normal part of a gecko’s diet. They’re small, full of protein, and move in ways that trigger a gecko’s hunting instincts. Most geckos will eat spiders whenever they get the chance.

Why Spiders Make a Good Meal for Geckos

Geckos eat almost anything that fits in their mouths, and spiders are just the right size.

Spiders give geckos:

• Protein for muscle growth.

• Fat for energy and warmth.

• Moisture to help them stay hydrated.

In the wild, what geckos eat can change with the season. But spiders stay easy to find since they’re active at the same time geckos are, mostly at night.

How Geckos Hunt and Catch Spiders

Geckos hunt quietly. They don’t chase their prey; they wait and strike.

You might see one sneak toward a web or dark corner.

It tilts its head, watching for the smallest twitch of movement. Then, in a quick snap, it grabs the spider with its tongue and jaws.

Geckos don’t chew, they swallow spiders whole, legs and all.

Do All Geckos Eat Spiders?

Almost all gecko species do, though some like them more than others.

• House geckos and Mediterranean geckos often hunt spiders around windows and lights.

• Leopard geckos eat ground spiders like wolf spiders.

• Crested geckos eat small spiders between fruit meals.

• Tokay geckos are bold enough to eat big orb-weavers and jumping spiders.

Each gecko eats what’s available where it lives, but few will ever turn down a spider.

Are Spiders Safe for Geckos to Eat?

Mostly, yes, but not all spiders are safe.

Common house spiders, jumping spiders, and web-weavers are fine.

But venomous ones like black widows, brown recluses, or redbacks can hurt the gecko if they bite first.

Geckos usually strike fast enough to avoid that, but for pet geckos, it’s best not to feed them wild spiders. Store-bought feeder insects are safer and cleaner.

Why Geckos Don’t Get Stuck in Spider Webs

If geckos hunt near webs, you might wonder why they don’t get caught.

Their skin and scales resist water and dust, which helps them slide off sticky threads.

They also move carefully (slow steps, light touches) until the moment they strike. If a bit of silk sticks, they rub it off or shed their skin later to remove it.

When Spiders Fight Back

Not every hunt goes smoothly. Some spiders bite or spin webs fast to defend themselves.

When that happens, geckos react quickly. They twist, flick their tails, or bite hard to crush the spider before swallowing.

Bigger geckos win these fights easily. But if the danger’s too high, a gecko might drop its tail to escape though that’s always a last resort.

Spiders Stay a Steady Food Source in the Wild

Spiders are everywhere in nature, under bark, around rocks, or near walls where bugs gather.

Geckos living near people often hunt spiders around lights or corners where insects collect.

It’s like an easy buffet, helping them survive when other bugs are hard to find.

That’s why house geckos thrive in cities, they’ve learned to hunt spiders just as easily as mosquitoes or moths.

Do Pet Geckos Need Spiders in Their Diet?

Not really. Pet geckos stay healthy on feeder insects like:

• Crickets

• Mealworms

• Dubia roaches

These already give them the protein and fat spiders would. Still, some owners add a few clean, captive-bred spiders now and then for variety. It keeps the gecko’s hunting instincts active.

Just make sure it’s done safely, never feed spiders from outside since they could carry pesticides or parasites.

How Geckos Find Spiders in the Dark

Geckos are night hunters with eyes that can see even in near-total darkness.

They also use smell and vibration. When a spider crawls or shakes its web, the gecko feels tiny tremors through the surface under its feet.

That’s usually enough to find the prey. Once locked in, the gecko doesn’t wait, it attacks in less than a second.

Spiders’ Role in a Gecko’s World

Spiders help control insects, and geckos help control spiders. It keeps nature balanced.

Too many spiders mean too many webs and fewer insects for both to eat.

Too many geckos, and spider numbers drop too fast. Usually, nature keeps both in check.

In cities, though, geckos often take over since they adapt faster to light and heat.

Why Geckos Sometimes Ignore Spiders

Not every spider gets eaten. Sometimes a gecko just ignores one.

That might be because:

• It’s already full.

• The spider’s too big or quick.

• It senses the spider could be venomous.

Geckos have instincts that help them stay safe. They don’t take risks if food’s easy to find.

Can Geckos Get Sick From Eating Spiders?

It’s rare, but it can happen.

If a spider ate a poisoned bug, that poison can pass to the gecko. Wild spiders might also carry parasites.

That’s why it’s best to feed geckos only clean, raised insects, it keeps them safe from hidden dangers.

How Baby Geckos Learn to Hunt Spiders

Baby geckos start hunting just days after hatching. At first, they go for tiny bugs like fruit flies or gnats.

As they grow, they move on to small spiders.

Watching them hunt is interesting, each move is quiet and careful. Their aim gets better as they practice. By the time they’re adults, they almost never miss.

Why Geckos Help Control Spiders Around Homes

In homes where geckos live, you’ll usually see fewer spiders.

That’s because geckos go after anything that moves, and spiders are easy targets at night.

By eating them, geckos naturally help keep things balanced indoors.

That’s one reason many people in warm countries see geckos as good luck, they keep the webs away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can geckos eat venomous spiders? Yes, geckos can eat venomous spiders, and they often do. Their tough skin and quick reflexes protect them from bites, letting them strike and eat before the spider has a chance to react.

Do geckos ever get bitten by venomous spiders? Yes, geckos can get bitten by venomous spiders, but it doesn’t happen often. They move fast and usually attack from behind, giving the spider little chance to fight back. Still, if a bite does happen, smaller geckos can get hurt or even die, depending on the spider’s venom.

Conclusion

Geckos eat spiders often. It’s part of how they survive, whether they’re living on a forest tree, a city wall, or in your home.

Their sharp eyes, tails, and reflexes make them skilled hunters. Spiders give them energy, moisture, and a chance to use those hunting skills every night.

So next time you see a gecko near a web, you’ll know what’s really happening, it’s waiting, watching, and ready for one clean strike to keep the small balance of nature alive.