Do spiders feel pain when squished?

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asked Sep 22 in Science by Every365days (1,400 points)
Do spiders feel pain when squished?

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answered Sep 23 by gatepeeper (16,640 points)
Spiders don't feel pain when squished like humans and other animals feel pain.

Spiders and other insects have a simple nervous system which is different from that of vertebrates including humans, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians.

As a result it suggests that spiders and other insects don't feel pain in the same way as humans and other vertebrates.

Insects have been shown in studies to exhibit avoidance behaviors when they are exposed to noxious stimuli, like electric shocks or heat.

Although it does not indicate pain perception.

Insects have some neurons that may be involved in sensing of noxious stimuli, but insects lack the complex network of nociceptive neurons that are found in vertebrates.

Nociceptive neurons are the specialized nerve cells which detect and also transmit pain signals and so insects don't seem to experience pain as they lack this.

Squishing or squashing of bugs and other insects including spiders is okay and is often a pretty humane way of getting rid of them.

But some spiders and other insects can be harmful and so it's best to get rid of them no matter how human or non humane it is.

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