Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Cave Spiders in Minecraft: Poison and Spawners
Cave spiders are small blue spiders that poison you on Normal and Hard. They come from spawners in mineshafts, surrounded by cobwebs, and since the sulfur caves update they also replace all spiders in sulfur caves. They have 12 health and fit through gaps a normal spider cannot. Like spiders, they are neutral in bright light until provoked.
How strong is cave spider poison?
| Difficulty | Poison |
|---|---|
| Easy | None |
| Normal | 7 seconds, about 6 damage |
| Hard | 15 seconds, about 12 damage |
Poison cannot kill you, but it leaves you weak for other mobs. Milk cures it; see status effects.
Where do cave spiders spawn?
- From monster spawners in mineshaft corridors, at light level 0, wrapped in cobwebs; see mineshafts.
- Naturally in sulfur caves, where they replace normal spiders; see sulfur caves.
- From trial spawners, a 25% chance as the small melee mob.
- On Bedrock, 1% spawn with a skeleton rider.
How do you deal with cave spiders?
Break or torch the spawner first; light around it stops spawns. Cut cobwebs with a sword or shears so you can move. Fight them in a 2-high corridor; they are small, so a doorway does not stop them like it stops spiders. They drop string and spider eyes and 5 experience; see spiders.
Can you farm cave spiders?
Yes, a cave spider spawner makes a decent XP and string farm. Contain them carefully because they slip through small gaps that would stop a normal spider. Ideas: XP farms.
Frequently asked questions
Is cave spider poison deadly?
No, poison stops at half a heart, but it weakens you.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.