Snake-eating spiders are surprisingly common

Spiders from at least 11 different families feed on serpents many times their size

A brown widow spider crawling along a garter snake trapped in its web against a white wall

A brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) inspects a common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) trapped in its web.

Julia Safer

A spider’s typical dinner menu might include insects, worms or even small lizards and frogs (SN: 2/3/21).