The black widow spider is a serious piece of biological engineering… and I wouldn’t suggest you mess with this deadly babe!
Although there is more than one type of widow spider globally, the best known and most feared one is the black widow spider of North America. And this is because of their extremely toxic venom which is more dangerous than even that of the ratttlesnake.
Black widow spiders in this region of the world come in 3 main classses. The first of these is known as Lactrodectus Mactans, also known as the original black widow spider.
The second type, or Lactrodectus Variiolus is found in more northerly parts of America and in some southern areas of Canada.
A third kind is called Lactrodectus Hesperus, and is mainly to be located in western areas, particularly Mexico.
All three species have many characteristics in common not least of which is the fact that they are among the most poisonous species of spiders of North America. The black widow spider has a sting that is considered to contain poison that is many times more potent than rattlesnake venom. So if you are wary of rattlesnakes… think twice about confronting a black widow spider if you ever see one!
What Does a Black Widow Spider Look Like?
The easiest way to identify a black widow spider is to look for the distinctive triangular shapes on the underbelly, in the shape of an hourglass. In fact this is why it is often also called the ‘Hourglass Spider’.
Against the black background of the rest of its body its red, orange or yellow color is striking.
The abdomen of the female tends to be more rounded and less triangular and is usually jet-black in color. This gives it the popular name of ’Shoe Button Spider’.
The male black widow is about half the size of the female siand he has longer legs. It also has distinctive white markings along its sides and you can see red spots on its body in the top centre.
What is a Typical Black Widow Spider Habitat?
They generally like to keep away from people and other animals and so try to hide as much as possible. So you might find them hiding in woodpiles or somewhere amongst a pile of stones. They also seem to have a preference for small animal burrows or hollowed out tree stumps.
How Does The Black Widow Spider Feed?
It hides in the day and comes out at night to wait, hanging on its own web, waiting for a catch. The black widow likes to eat insects such as crickets, moths, beetles, roaches, wood lice and maybe even other spiders or small rodents. Once caught up in the widow’s web it quickly spins some web around it and takes a bite with its poisonous fangs to immobilise the prey. Then when the prey is dead the black widow takes it back to its hidden quarters to feed.
Making ‘babies’
How the black widow spider reproduces is a fascinating process. The male goes off to alert a female by vibrating her web then mounts her and covers her eggs with sperm.
The female then lays her eggs on a small web, and covers them in a cocoon. This can stay on the web and is carefully guarded or the female may carry it on her back until the baby spiders come to term and start to climb out..
There is a popular idea that the female eats the male after mating but this isn’t always the case, although it can indeed happen sometimes.
Is The Black Widow Spider’s Venom Dangerous?
Nearly all spiders have glands containing venom, which arethere to hunt and kill prey with. However for the most part it is not dangerous for people. In particular they are not likey to bite you unprovoked. They would prefer to run away as quickly as possible.
What to do if You are Bitten
First of all, prevention is better than cure. Some measures to avoid an encounter would be to inspect possible hiding places, particularly at night. These would be places where there are piles of stuff, or ‘cave-like’ little used areas (maybe a pair of old shoes that haven’t been moved for a long time). Regular cleaning of areas you live and move around in would be advised.
When working or moving around outdoors, it is best to consider wearing long sleeved shirts, trousers, socks, boots and gloves, and also to shake out your clothes, socks and shoes before attempting to put them on.
In the unusual case of actually being bitten by such a spider it would be a good idea to apply an ice pack to the affected area immediately. At the same time try to keep the spider to help in identifying it incase an enti-venom is available. Finally try to get prompt medical treatment. As long as you take immediate action you are 99% likely to survive.
Two spider types threaten more than bugs
Black widows are most often found under flat rocks, logs along embankments or in outbuildings. They spin irregularly shaped webs with a tiny funnel where the spider can retreat if threatened.
Survival Tips- Black Widow Spiders – She Aint No Lady!
I found a bite mark, two fang impressions, and it welted up. I still wasn’t too sure what it was yet. And then the symptoms kicked in, and I knew 100% what it was. Those damned things have put a hurtin’ on me over the years. … i usually let the spiders alone. they do their part by living on bugs. bugs that otherwise would bother me, my flowers or my vegetables. i usually leave the black widows alone as well. i know where they like to be and i’m vigilant…
A Terror of Black Widow Spider
The best way to avoid getting bitten by black widow spiders is to be careful in areas where they like to spend time. Do not play around in rock piles or wood piles. If you are working outside in the yard in big piles of logs or leaves …
