Do spiders that get flushed down a toilet survive the experience? | Notes and Queries

Do spiders that get flushed down a toilet survive the experience?

Grant Whitehouse, Teddington, UK

• No, they drown. Spiders which you find in the bath have fallen in, not, as widely assumed, emerged from the plug-hole, as they cannot get past the U-bend (they drown).

  Chris White, Hull, UK

• I can't imagine anyone has ever looked, but in all probability no. Spiders need oxygen as much as we do and once under the water and in the pipes it would be unlikely to be able to surface until it reaches the sewers.

  Pete Huntley, Leeds

• We don't have funnel web spiders here in Austria, much less in our pools. I think all spiders around here you can pretty much squish.

  Lyo Mi, Austria

• I think they'd have a fair chance as the pipes are unlikely to be completely full and they will always float to the top, so may survive the journey.

  mike, perth scotland